Lithuanian national broadcaster files ethics complaint over undeclared lobbying by lawmaker

Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT has filed a complaint with the Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK) against Kęstutis Vilkauskas, chair of the Seimas Culture Committee, accusing him of failing to declare lobbying influence by the Internet Media Association (IŽA), LRT.lt reports.

According to LRT Director General Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, publicly available data shows Vilkauskas—both a Social Democratic faction member and committee chair—did not disclose IŽA’s lobbying activities targeting him. Following meetings with the association, Vilkauskas reportedly proposed amendments to the LRT law that the broadcaster claims would politicise its operations and cause financial harm.

The disputed amendments would require LRT to implement its public service mandate under a contract with the government or its authorised body—a provision previously advocated by IŽA itself. LRT asserts that Vilkauskas violated the Law on Lobbying Activities and has urged VTEK to take action.

Last week, the Seimas Culture Committee, led by Vilkauskas, rejected a proposal from a group of parliamentarians to amend the LRT law with a clause mandating such a public service contract. Vilkauskas, one of the initiative’s original authors, argued the change was premature, citing an ongoing request by the Seimas Board for the government to draft broader amendments to the LRT law by September.

The latest draft of the LRT law, prepared by a working group under Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas, introduces a governing board for the broadcaster, alters the composition of its council, and sets new grounds for the early dismissal of its director general. It also prohibits other media outlets from operating on LRT’s channels or website without council approval, while requiring individuals affiliated with external media to declare conflicts of interest.

The Venice Commission has criticised the proposed amendments for being rushed. Public protests, including a 10,000-strong rally under the slogan “Hands off free speech! We won’t surrender,” have opposed the changes, which follow a failed attempt last December to simplify the procedure for dismissing LRT’s director general.

Another protest is planned for this week at Vilnius Cathedral Square.