Lithuanian president signs amendments to LRT law

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has signed amendments to the Law on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), as confirmed by the Presidential Office to ELTA.

The Seimas (parliament) adopted the amendments in early June, with 77 lawmakers voting in favor, one against, and no abstentions. The opposition did not participate in the vote, stating they would appeal to the Constitutional Court. The Journalists’ Professional Association had also urged the president to veto the amendments.

The amendments, prepared by a working group led by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and later adjusted by the Seimas Culture Committee, introduce several changes. These include a definition of LRT’s mission and an expansion of the LRT Council from 12 to 15 members. The president and the Seimas will each appoint four members, while the remaining seven will be selected by the Lithuanian Council of Science, Lithuanian Education Council, Lithuanian Creators’ Association, Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference, Lithuanian Association of Local Communities, National Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations, and Lithuanian Forum of Disabled Organizations. A Council Bureau will also be established.

Under the new law, the LRT director general can be dismissed before the end of their term with a two-thirds majority vote of all Council members if they no longer meet the reputation requirements or commit a gross violation of duties. The Council will decide whether the vote on dismissal is open or closed. Currently, the director general is dismissed by an open vote. Additionally, the director general’s term will be limited to two consecutive terms.

The amendments will come into force on January 1, 2028, except for some provisions that will apply from October 3, 2028. This means the new rules could apply to the current LRT director general, Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė.

The Venice Commission, which reviewed the amendments, recommended further improvements and a thorough analysis. It also emphasized that changes related to the dismissal of the director general should only apply to those appointed after the amendments take effect.

ELTA recalls that there have been several protests against the ruling coalition’s proposed amendments to the LRT law. The new amendments were prepared after the ruling coalition attempted to push through different changes in December, which would have simplified the dismissal process for the LRT director general.