Lithuanian regulator probes podcast for content deemed harmful to minors

Lithuania's broadcast regulator, the LRTK, has initiated an investigation into a podcast episode titled "Into COURT FOR THESE WORDS... Red Alert in Lithuania • Savaitės Rifas #179." The probe began after the commission received complaints about the content.

During its review, the LRTK determined that the podcast frequently used uncensored words and phrases, describing the language as indecent and vulgar. Consequently, the information disseminated was categorized as negatively impacting minors, according to Lithuania's law on the protection of minors from the negative influence of public information.

The commission noted that although the podcast included a warning for individuals aged 18 and above and was marked with an 'S' index, these measures were insufficient. The 'S' rating was displayed throughout the program, but the platform's technical features on YouTube were not utilized to restrict access. The LRTK concluded that additional access restriction measures should have been implemented.

As a result, the commission proposed requiring the podcast creators to employ YouTube's technical tools to limit access and to inform the commission about their implementation. Responding to whether an adult content rating alone is adequate, the LRTK emphasized that a comprehensive approach is necessary, evaluating all applied measures in context. The regulator stressed that the protection of minors in the digital environment must be effective, not merely formal.

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Kad nors programos rengėjas taikė nepilnamečių apsaugos priemones – pateikė įspėjimą dėl turinio ir pažymėjo programą indeksu „S“, programos pasiekiamumas turėjo būti papildomai ribojamas naudojantis vaizdo dalijimosi platformos teikiamas technines priemones