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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2568(RSP))

On the attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania

B-10-2026-0074

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Konstantinos Arvanitis

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 25 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution expresses serious concerns about draft amendments to Lithuania's Law on the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), which passed a first reading and are still being examined. It says elements of the draft, if adopted without safeguards, could undermine LRT's editorial and functional independence and may be incompatible with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). It calls on the Seimas to make any final amendments fully compliant with the EMFA and on Lithuanian authorities to run a transparent, inclusive process and protect a pluralist media landscape. It welcomes the postponement of the final vote and asks that developments in Lithuania be followed in the next rule of law report. It calls on member states to fund public broadcasters adequately and protect their editorial independence, and notes concern that public service media across Europe face political and ideological attacks.

Key points

  1. Parliament expresses serious concerns about the draft amendments to the Law on the LRT.
  2. It considers that, if adopted as proposed, the amendments could increase political influence over the LRT and may be incompatible with Articles 4(2), 5 and 6 EMFA.
  3. It says leadership dismissal procedures should remain exceptional, objective and based on clear criteria, and funding should be adequate, stable and predictable.
  4. It calls on the Seimas to ensure final amendments guarantee editorial and functional independence, transparent appointments and dismissals, protection from interference and adequate funding.
  5. It calls on Lithuanian authorities to build on Council of Europe standards, including the Venice Commission's opinion.
  6. It calls on Lithuanian authorities to consult journalists, public service media representatives, civil society and independent experts in the legislative process.
  7. It calls on Lithuanian authorities to safeguard a pluralist, independent and free media landscape, including public service media and community media.
  8. It welcomes the postponement of the final vote as an opportunity to strengthen the independence, accountability and effectiveness of the LRT.
  9. It believes developments in Lithuania, including EMFA compliance, should be followed and reflected in the next rule of law report.
  10. It calls on member states to give public broadcasters adequate financial and technical means and guarantee their editorial independence through clearly defined regulatory frameworks.
  11. It notes with great concern that public service media across Europe face political and ideological attacks, smear campaigns, intimidation and attempts to undermine editorial independence and stable funding.

Who is affected

  • Lithuania's parliament (Seimas): asked to make final amendments to the LRT Law EMFA-compliant.
  • Lithuanian authorities: asked to run a transparent, inclusive process and protect media pluralism.
  • The LRT: its editorial and functional independence is the subject of the concerns.
  • Member states: asked to fund public broadcasters adequately and protect their editorial independence.

Legal basis: Articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 and 49 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 9, 10 and 16 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.