Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference declines to disclose LRT council candidates, citing canon law

The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference has refused to publicly name the candidates for its representative on the governing council of Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, stating that canon law does not require disclosure, LRT.lt reports.

Under LRT’s governing statute, institutions selecting members for the broadcaster’s council must publish candidate names in advance. However, the Bishops’ Conference—responsible for appointing one of the 15 council members—announced only its chosen nominee, legal scholar Ramutė Ruškytė, without revealing the two other candidates considered.

In a statement, the conference confirmed that three candidates were evaluated during its April 16 meeting but asserted that canon law, which governs its procedures, “does not provide for public disclosure of unsuccessful candidates.” It maintained that Ruškytė’s selection was conducted “in accordance with legal requirements.”

Ruškytė, a former Constitutional Court judge and current adviser to Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė, will replace Professor Irena Vaišvilaitė, whose six-year term expires in May. Her appointment has drawn criticism from journalists’ associations, citing concerns over potential politicisation of LRT’s oversight. The broadcaster’s statute prohibits council members from holding government positions or ties to media outlets; the Justice Ministry confirmed Ruškytė will resign her advisory role before assuming the council seat on May 20.

The Bishops’ Conference holds one of 15 seats on LRT’s council, which includes representatives from cultural, academic, and government institutions. The council oversees the public broadcaster’s strategic direction and compliance with its mandate.