Lithuanian public broadcaster governance reforms face criticism over lack of global precedent

Lithuania’s proposed amendments to the law governing public broadcaster LRT are flawed and introduce a governance model unseen elsewhere in the world, a legal expert warned on Monday, as reported by LRT Television.

Gintautas Bartkus, a law professor at Vilnius University and practicing attorney, argued that the draft legislation fails to resolve two critical issues: LRT’s governance structure and its institutional independence. “Two key questions remain unanswered—governance and independence. Neither has been fully addressed,” he said in an interview with LRT’s Laba diena, Lietuva program.

Bartkus cautioned that while some changes are framed as minor editorial adjustments, they carry significant implications, particularly for LRT’s independence. “Even a misplaced comma can matter in law, so dismissing these as mere edits would be misleading,” he said. “There’s a troubling trend of narrowing LRT’s independence.”

The proposed model introduces a three-tiered system—council, board, and director-general—which Bartkus called unprecedented. “No such structure exists globally. It’s like giving an army a general, then adding a board and a council—everyone would just argue over who’s in charge,” he said. The risk, he added, is fragmented accountability and paralyzed decision-making.

The draft also leaves the council’s role poorly defined, with overlapping functions. “The council is treated as a governing body, yet its members—often public figures—lack governance experience,” Bartkus noted. He criticized the duplication of powers, where the council appoints both the board and the director-general, sidelining the board’s role. “This makes no sense. The board is effectively removed from the process,” he said.

Bartkus urged a simpler, clearer structure aligned with international standards, where the council’s sole duty would be appointing leadership, leaving operational matters to management. He also emphasized the need for open deliberation before votes, calling it “fundamental” to sound governance.

The Seimas is expected to vote on the amendments this week. Critics, including journalists and international experts, have previously voiced concerns over the reforms.