On the attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania
B-10-2026-0078
on behalf of the S&D Group · Rapporteur: Ana Catarina Mendes, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
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This resolution addresses the attempted takeover of Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT and the threat to democracy in Lithuania. It reaffirms media freedom and the rule of law, stresses Lithuania's competence while recalling EU law compliance, and calls for continued work and cooperation with the Venice Commission.¶¶¶ It invites Lithuanian authorities to ensure transparent consultations and funding, and invites political parties to consider amendments carefully. It also invites European bodies to monitor compliance with the European Media Freedom Act.¶¶¶
Key points
- Reaffirms that media freedom, the rule of law, and independence of public service media are essential, protected under Article 11 of the Charter and reinforced by the European Media Freedom Act.¶
- Stresses Lithuania's competence over its media system, but recalls that national legislation must comply with EU law, including the EMFA.¶
- Notes the legislative process is ongoing and no final law has been adopted, so assessments must consider the provisional nature of the text.¶
- Underlines that changes to dismissal thresholds, grounds, and voting mechanisms are crucial for assessing safeguards protecting public service media independence under Article 5 EMFA.¶
- Calls on the Lithuanian parliament to continue work through its working group and cooperate fully with the Venice Commission to strengthen and make more transparent procedures for appointing and removing public service media leadership.¶
- Invites Lithuanian authorities to reinforce broad consultations with civil society, media professionals, and European institutions on governance and funding of public service media.¶
- Invites political parties to consider proposed amendments carefully and ensure future changes are subject to public consultation with journalists, media freedom organisations, and LRT management.¶
- Stresses that political discourse on public service media should avoid polarising language or actions that may undermine public trust or democratic consensus.¶
- Invites the European Board for Media Services, the European Commission, and the EMFA working group to continue monitoring and provide assessments on EMFA compliance.¶
Who is affected
- Lithuanian authorities and parliament, who are called to continue work and cooperate with the Venice Commission.¶
- Civil society, media professionals, and European institutions, who are invited to participate in consultations.¶
- Political parties in Lithuania, who are invited to consider amendments and ensure public consultation.¶
- European Board for Media Services, European Commission, and EMFA working group, who are invited to monitor compliance.¶
Legal basis: Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and articles of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union relating to democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights.¶¶