European Broadcasters’ Union warns proposed LRT reforms threaten editorial independence

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and 25 other international media organizations have raised concerns that proposed amendments to Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT would undermine its independence and make it more vulnerable to political pressure, LRT.lt reports.

A government-backed draft law, which passed its first parliamentary reading last week, introduces changes to LRT’s governance, including stricter criteria for dismissing its director general and restrictions on external media participation in content creation. The bill also redefines LRT’s mission, establishes a new governing board, and expands its supervisory council from 12 to 15 members.

In a letter to parliamentary leaders, the organizations emphasized that public broadcasters play a “vital role” in democratic societies by providing access to independent and reliable information. They warned that reforms must ensure “editorial and institutional independence” through transparent, inclusive, and democratic processes—standards they argue were not met during the bill’s preparation.

The EBU and its partners criticized the exclusion of LRT’s administration from the working group drafting the law, while commercial media representatives were included. They also highlighted concerns previously raised by the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, regarding the bill’s compliance with democratic standards.

Key objections include vague and subjective criteria for dismissing LRT’s director general, which could be “open to interpretation.” The organizations argued that the rushed process—without adequate transitional safeguards—creates the impression that the law is “targeted” at the current leadership. They also warned against provisions allowing the supervisory council to restrict external media involvement in LRT’s content, which could violate Council of Europe recommendations on editorial autonomy.

The proposed expansion of LRT’s governing bodies risks blurring the line between strategic oversight and day-to-day management, further threatening editorial independence, the letter stated. The organizations urged Lithuanian authorities to align the reforms with EU law and Council of Europe standards to safeguard LRT’s autonomy and stable funding.

A similar draft law was fast-tracked in December but withdrawn amid mass protests and criticism from domestic and international bodies. The current bill has revived concerns over potential political interference in public broadcasting.