Lithuanian government hears protesters but will not amend controversial LRT law

The Lithuanian government has acknowledged public protests against proposed amendments to the national broadcaster LRT’s governing law but insists it will not halt the legislative process, citing its advanced stage, LRT reports.

Thousands gathered outside the Seimas on Saturday for the fifth consecutive protest under the slogan “Hands off free speech. We will not surrender”, demanding the withdrawal of draft changes they argue threaten editorial independence. Organisers claimed 10,000 participants, while police estimated similar numbers. Mobile operators recorded even higher attendance.

Protesters accused the ruling coalition of ignoring public opposition. “I brought the same signs from storage because nothing has changed,” one demonstrator said. Another called the government “liars from start to finish.” Comedian Mantas Stonkus, addressing the crowd, urged noise to “show them how many of us there really are,” adding, “We’re not making a tragedy, but everything they do is a tragedy.”

Critics, including the Lithuanian Journalists’ Professional Association, warn the amendments would politicise LRT by expanding its governing council, creating a new board, and easing the dismissal of its director-general. The council would also gain authority over whether LRT journalists could work for other media—a move opponents call censorship.

“The council decided to reprimand LRT journalists and ban on-air silence,” said Birutė Davidonytė, the association’s head, arguing the changes aim to “seize control” of public broadcasting. The council’s chair, Mindaugas Jurkynas, dismissed her remarks as “unprofessional and unethical” but later faced journalists demanding answers over recent silent protests in LRT broadcasts. The council abruptly ended its emergency meeting, refusing dialogue.

Legal experts, invited by the parliamentary Culture Committee, condemned the draft as unconstitutional. “This risks losing our public broadcaster entirely,” said Vilnius University professor Andrius Vaišnys. Former Constitutional Court judge Toma Birmontienė warned the reforms could enable political dictation of content, violating constitutional doctrine. Some lawmakers, however, dismissed the criticism as incomprehensible.

Opposition MPs allege the government is rushing the law, pointing to back-to-back committee sessions scheduled from morning to evening. The ruling coalition, meanwhile, insists no urgency exists—despite the accelerated timeline.

The proposed changes would also allow the government to issue directives to LRT, a provision critics say further undermines its independence.