Lithuania: hands off free speech!

What is happening?

Lithuanian lawmakers have moved forward with amendments to the law governing the national public broadcaster, LRT 📺, that would make it easier to remove the broadcaster’s director-general. The draft changes would lower the bar for dismissal and change appointment/dismissal procedures (including introducing secret ballots and different majority requirements on the LRT Council). Critics warn ⚠️ this would reduce institutional protections against politically motivated firings.

Why are people protesting?

Journalists’ groups, cultural organisations and civil-society actors argue the amendments open the door to political interference in editorial decisions at LRT and the "orbanisation” of the media. Together with a recent vote to freeze the broadcaster’s budget, the changes are seen as pressure on an independent public service and a threat to European standards of media freedom 🇪🇺.

Thousands have taken to the streets of central Vilnius. A recent rally under the slogan “Hands Off Free Speech” gathered around 10,000 people outside the Seimas (Lithuanian parliament). And this is not the end — a three-day rally is planned later this week, with our Lithuanian MO, the Union of Young Democrats of Lithuania @jauniejidemokratai, actively taking part

What could this mean for media freedom?

Lowering safeguards makes it easier for a politically aligned majority to replace public-media leadership they dislike. Observers warn this can chill journalism, encourage self-censorship, and weaken public trust in impartial reporting. That is why strong legal guarantees, transparent procedures, and stable funding are essential for a healthy public broadcaster.