Lithuanian parliament debates controversial amendments to national broadcaster’s law

The Lithuanian parliament on Thursday began deliberations on proposed amendments to the law governing the country’s public broadcaster LRT, following months of protests and prolonged committee discussions, LRT.lt reports.

Lawmakers had previously attempted to fast-track the changes late last year but abandoned the effort after mass demonstrations and opposition parties submitting hundreds of alternative proposals. The Culture Committee has since spent months reviewing the draft.

Thursday’s session is scheduled to continue with interruptions until 8 PM, though Speaker Juozas Olekas has not ruled out convening an extraordinary sitting on Friday if debates extend beyond the allotted time.

Liberal MP Simonas Gentvilas proposed postponing the LRT discussion to a later date, arguing that the parliament should instead prioritise a briefing by defence and interior ministers on Wednesday’s declared air threat alert in Lithuania. Conservative Mindaugas Lingė, however, insisted that questions regarding the Venice Commission’s recent opinions on the amendments should first be addressed.

The session was paused for a 30-minute recess immediately after proceedings began.

The proposed changes have drawn criticism over concerns they could undermine the broadcaster’s editorial independence. LRT operates under a public service mandate and is certified by the international Journalism Trust Initiative.