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Adopted text

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

TA-10-2026-0024 · P10_TA(2026)0024 · PE782.026

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 6 Sept 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.

This resolution condemns attempts to undermine the independence of Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT through funding freezes and changes to dismissal rules, and urges the Seimas to reject pending amendments. It calls on the Commission and Member States to protect media freedom, support investigative journalism, and ensure stable funding for public service media, while urging Lithuanian authorities to consult broadly and respect EU law.

Key points

  1. Recognises the essential role of public media in upholding EU values and countering disinformation, propaganda and information manipulation.
  2. Notes that weakening independent media serves the objectives of hybrid warfare by Russia and other hostile powers.
  3. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure public service media can support investigative journalism and protect journalists from political pressure.
  4. Expresses solidarity with Lithuanian journalists, LRT and civil society defending media freedom.
  5. Condemns all attempts to undermine LRT's independence, including legislative and administrative measures and political pressure.
  6. Considers the freezing and reduction of LRT's funding as political pressure incompatible with constitutional guarantees and Article 5(3) EMFA.
  7. Considers proposed amendments lowering safeguards for dismissing LRT's director general as risking arbitrary political interference and incompatible with EU standards.
  8. Strongly condemns ad personam legislation targeting specific individuals and recalls it is incompatible with the rule of law.
  9. Underlines that accelerated legislative procedures for these amendments lack objective grounds and fail to ensure transparency and stakeholder participation.
  10. Urges the Seimas to reject pending amendments, including lowering dismissal thresholds, removing public-interest justification, and introducing secret ballots, and to wait for the Venice Commission's opinion.
  11. Calls on the Seimas and Lithuanian Government to reduce political influence in the LRT Council, repeal measures undermining LRT's independence, and ensure stable, predictable funding.
  12. Requests the Commission to monitor media freedom in Lithuania, assess compliance with EMFA, and use all tools including infringement procedures if needed.

Who is affected

  • Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) and its staff, who face funding cuts and changes to dismissal rules.
  • The Seimas and Lithuanian Government, which are urged to reject amendments and ensure LRT's independence.
  • The Commission, which is asked to monitor and act on media freedom in Lithuania.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 79,6 million: LRT's budget frozen at 2025 level for 2026-2028.
  • 8 out of 12 members of the LRT Council are appointed by political authorities.
  • More than 140 000 citizens signed a petition opposing the legislative initiatives.

Legal basis: Articles 2 and 7 of the Treaty on European Union