Four EU lawmakers urge Lithuanian president to block media law weakening public broadcaster

Four Lithuanian members of the European Parliament have called on President Gitanas Nausėda to intervene against proposed legal changes they say undermine the independence of the national public broadcaster LRT, ELTA reports.

The lawmakers—Dainius Žalimas, Petras Auštrevičius, Rasa Juknevičienė, and Liudas Mažylis—warned in their appeal that amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), currently under parliamentary review, risk violating constitutional principles and EU legal standards. They argue the draft law weakens financial safeguards for LRT, introduces vague dismissal procedures for its director-general, and creates an overlapping governance structure that could concentrate power.

The MPs stressed that the process lacks public consultation, expert legal assessment, and alignment with international recommendations. They cautioned that the ruling coalition’s push to restrict LRT’s independence could harm Lithuania’s credibility ahead of its upcoming EU Council presidency.

Urging Nausėda to use his constitutional authority, the lawmakers called for a public evaluation of the legislative process, a halt to the bill’s consideration pending a Venice Commission opinion, and a firm defense of LRT’s independence as a cornerstone of democracy. They suggested the president consider exercising his veto power if necessary.

The contested amendments, backed by a parliamentary working group, propose a 15-member broadcasting council—appointed by the president and parliament—alongside a new five-member executive board to oversee strategic and financial management from 2028. Critics highlight provisions allowing the director-general’s dismissal for “loss of trust” via a two-thirds council vote (with flexible voting procedures) or for misconduct, breaches of public interest, or reputational failures.

Journalists’ and cultural organizations plan a protest outside the parliament on Wednesday in response to the proposed changes.