Lithuanian group to seek ways to expand access to periodical press

A working group initiated by Transport Minister Juras Taminskas will propose ways to improve access to and distribution of periodical publications in Lithuania, LRT reported.

The initiative aims to reduce information inequality and strengthen the public’s resilience to disinformation, the Transport Ministry said. Taminskas said he had asked the group to assess the current situation and make concrete proposals to support publishers and preserve periodical publications in the country.

The group includes representatives of the transport, interior, culture, and education, science and sport ministries, the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania, Lietuvos paštas, organisations representing periodical publishers, and municipal public libraries. It is chaired by Transport Vice-Minister Lukas Paškevičius.

Paškevičius said the group would look for ways to keep periodical publications viable, ensure they reach people’s homes and keep them on shop shelves.

Subscription volumes for print publications in Lithuania have fallen by 44% over the past five years. The ministry attributed the decline to changing information habits, growing competition from news portals and social networks, and high publishing and distribution costs.