The ECPMF and the undersigned media organisations have written an open letter to Lithuanian authorities calling on them to ensure all outstanding recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission on the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television are addressed.
The undersigned organisations – representing public service media, journalists, and press freedom organisations across Europe and globally, call on the Lithuanian authorities, including the Seimas, the Government and the President, to complete the legislative work begun this year and to ensure that all outstanding recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission on the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television are fully addressed.
Our call follows the adoption of amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television on 2 June 2026.
We acknowledge the progress made. The final text of the amended law represents a meaningful improvement over earlier drafts. The removal of provisions restricting media participation at LRT, the narrowing of grounds for dismissal of the Director General to only exceptional cases, and the addition of requirements for Council members to act independently are positive steps. We recognise that this progress was achieved through the determination of the Lithuanian public, the courage of LRT journalists, and the engagement of civil society and international organisations. We also welcome the constructive role played by members of the Seimas who worked to improve the text.
However, significant concerns remain. The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission issued two opinions – in March and May 2026 – both critical of the process and substance of the amendments. Several of its core recommendations have not yet been addressed:
- Political composition of the LRT Council. The expansion of the Council from 12 to 15 members does not resolve the fundamental problem: a majority of members remain politically appointed. Genuine editorial and institutional independence requires a governance structure insulated from political influence.
- The retroactive application of the revised dismissal procedures to the sitting Director General, without a transitional provision expressly limiting the application of the revised dismissal grounds to Directors General appointed after the law’s entry into force, is directly contrary to Venice Commission guidance and raises serious concerns regarding legal certainty and the rule of law.
- Weakened safeguards. Leaving the decision on whether Council votes on the Director General are open or secret to the Council itself removes an existing and important transparency safeguard.
- Funding independence. LRT’s financial independence remains undermined by a funding freeze introduced without impact assessment, contrary to the Venice Commission’s recommendations and requirements of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). This must be resolved.
We also note that the Government has been tasked with preparing a public service contract proposal by September 2026. We wish to signal clearly that this process must be conducted transparently, in genuine consultation with LRT and all relevant stakeholders, and in full conformity with EMFA and European standards for public service media governance. A public service contract must not become a mechanism for political control over LRT’s remit, funding or editorial independence. We will follow this process closely.
Lithuania has demonstrated to its citizens and to its European partners that it takes media freedom seriously. We encourage the authorities to take the further steps necessary to bring the law into full conformity with European standards. This is particularly important as Lithuania prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union facilitating dialogue across the Union.
The independence of public service media is not a technical matter – it is a democratic one. We remain committed to constructive engagement with Lithuania on this issue and stand ready to support further dialogue.
