Lithuanian MP admits failing to declare meeting with internet media lobby group

Lithuania’s Culture Committee chairman Kęstutis Vilkauskas has acknowledged he forgot to declare a meeting with the Internet Media Association (IŽA), following a complaint by public broadcaster LRT to the Chief Official Ethics Commission (VTEK), LRT reports.

LRT accused Vilkauskas, a Social Democrat MP, of failing to disclose lobbying influence by IŽA before proposing legislative amendments that would require the broadcaster to operate under a public service contract with the government—a change IŽA had previously advocated. The broadcaster’s director-general, Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, stated that Vilkauskas’ actions may have violated lobbying laws and urged VTEK to investigate.

Vilkauskas initially denied the allegations but later admitted the oversight, claiming he had instructed IŽA to register the meeting. “I asked them to declare it, but I forgot to fill out my part,” he told BNS. “It’s human to forget, though I should have been more careful.” He insisted the meeting did not discuss specific legislative drafts, only general principles.

Last week, the Culture Committee—chaired by Vilkauskas—rejected a proposal to amend LRT’s law to include a public service contract requirement. Vilkauskas, one of the proposal’s original authors, argued the change was premature, as the Seimas Board had already requested the government draft broader amendments by September.

IŽA director Lina Bušinskaitė maintained all meetings regarding LRT’s amendments were properly declared. Vilkauskas added that the rejected proposal had originated from fellow MP Artūras Zuokas, not himself, and that he had only supported it “to update the discussion” at a colleague’s request.