Lithuanian government proposes content quotas for public broadcaster LRT

The ruling coalition in Lithuania’s parliament has proposed amendments to the law governing public broadcaster LRT, requiring it to allocate a set number of programmes to specific themes, LRT.lt reports.

Under the changes, LRT would receive government directives on content distribution, such as the number of programmes dedicated to regional issues or youth audiences, according to Ligita Girskienė, a member of the Farmers and Greens Union (LVŽS). She described the proposal as a “wish list” rather than an infringement on editorial freedom.

“For example, it could specify how many programmes should be allocated to regions or to youth. It might also set targets to increase audience numbers over a given period,” Girskienė said, insisting that the core content would remain under LRT’s editorial control.

Opposition lawmakers, however, have condemned the move as political interference. Vytautas Juozapaitis of the Homeland Union–Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) argued that the changes would turn LRT into a “service provider” for the government, violating its constitutional role as an independent public broadcaster.

“This is a direct political order, a political intrusion that fundamentally contradicts LRT’s constitutional mission,” Juozapaitis said.

Academics from three Lithuanian universities have proposed alternative reforms, including enshrining LRT’s editorial independence in law, establishing a professional governing board, and creating a citizens’ assembly to advise the broadcaster’s council. They warn that the current proposals risk undermining LRT’s public service mandate.

“There is a danger of losing the public broadcaster altogether,” said Andrius Vaišnys, a professor at Vilnius University’s Communication Faculty, arguing that framing LRT’s role as a “service” distorts its purpose.

The academic group also recommends restructuring LRT’s governance, with stricter criteria for appointing council and board members to ensure professionalism and reputation. A proposed citizens’ assembly would provide additional public oversight.

Meanwhile, LRT’s journalists are preparing for another protest on 8 April, while the government maintains there is no cause for opposition. International broadcasters, including the BBC, and the European Broadcasting Union have expressed concern over the proposed changes.