Vilnius protest erupts as fast-tracked media bill threatens LRT independence |
A political storm is sweeping across Lithuania, and at its center stands not a party leader or a scandal, but the future of the nation’s public broadcaster. On December 9, more than 10,000 people flooded the square outside the Seimas in Vilnius, transforming the heart of Lithuania’s capital into a sea of flags, placards, and chants demanding one thing: protect the independence of LRT.
The rally, organized by the Association of Professional Journalists, became one of the largest demonstrations in recent years directed squarely at a single piece of legislation. The anger, frustration, and urgency that filled the air made clear that many Lithuanians see the proposed amendments not merely as bureaucratic adjustments but as a direct threat to democratic standards, media freedom, and the country’s European identity.
The controversy began last month when Remigijus Žemaitaitis, founder of the populist Nemunas Dawn party, introduced a set of amendments to the law governing the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). The bill proposes to lower the threshold required to dismiss the LRT director general. Currently, eight out of twelve members of the broadcaster’s supervisory board must support such a motion. Under the new proposal, a simple majority would suffice.
The change appears minor on paper, but journalists, legal experts, and civic groups see it as a blatant attempt to open the door for political interference. The supervisory board is composed of four members appointed by the president, four by parliament, and four by civil society organizations. Reducing the number of needed votes........