Lithuania expects passage of LRT law amendments on Tuesday

Lithuanian politician Juozas Olekas expressed optimism that amendments to the Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) law would be finalized and passed on Tuesday, concluding over six months of legislative work. He thanked all participants for their contributions to discussions, acknowledging that debates were sometimes heated but ultimately productive.

"We will have clearer regulation for LRT, more modern, better suited to the purpose of a public broadcaster, with a defined mission, strengthened governance, and the issues noted by the State Audit Office will be addressed and resolved," Olekas stated, anticipating a clearer framework for the public broadcaster.

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I believe we will finish more than half a year's work related to the amendments to the Lithuanian Radio and Television Law.

The proposed legislation, prepared by a working group led by Olekas and further refined by the Seimas Culture Committee, introduces several significant changes. The new law will define the mission of LRT and increase the size of its Council from 12 to 15 members. It also outlines specific conditions under which the LRT Director General can be dismissed before their term ends, requiring a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the Council members, particularly if the director no longer meets impeccable reputation requirements or commits a gross violation of duties.

Furthermore, the amendments stipulate that the decision to dismiss the Director General can be made through either an open or secret ballot, a departure from the current law's requirement for an open vote. A new governing body, the LRT Board, is also set to be established starting January 1, 2028. These proposed changes follow previous attempts by ruling party representatives to expedite LRT law amendments, particularly concerning the dismissal process for the Director General, which had previously sparked protests.

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We will have clearer regulation for LRT, more modern, better suited to the purpose of a public broadcaster, with a defined mission, strengthened governance, and the issues noted by the State Audit Office will be addressed and resolved.