Thousands protest in Vilnius against media restrictions as organisers warn of Hungarian-style control

Around 10,000 people gathered outside Lithuania’s parliament on Wednesday evening in a fresh protest against proposed legal changes to public broadcaster LRT, organisers and police estimates suggest, as warnings were issued over potential Hungarian-style media control, LRT.lt reports.

The rally, under the slogan “Hands off free speech. We will not surrender,” filled Vilnius’ Independence Square as demonstrators accused the ruling majority of attempting to politicise LRT—a move they claim mirrors tactics used in Hungary and Slovakia to undermine independent media.

“The government hopes we will grow tired, that we will stop protesting, believing nothing can change and let them govern in peace,” organisers stated. “But we will not back down. We will stand for media freedom as long as it takes. Every single person’s contribution matters.”

Protesters condemned the revival of legislative amendments first proposed in December, which they argue would transfer control of the public broadcaster to political appointees. “This is a direct path to seizing a media outlet that belongs to you—the public,” organisers warned, framing it as an attack on citizens’ right to unbiased information.

Similar demonstrations took place in other cities, including Šiauliai, where a parallel protest began at 19:00 local time. The events follow months of public opposition to the proposed changes, with December’s rally drawing comparable crowds.