LRT Head Calls New Law 'Much Worse,' Fears Political Takeover

Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, head of Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), has strongly criticized the newly adopted LRT law, calling it "much worse" than the existing legislation. Despite the removal of some initially threatening provisions, she asserts that the new law undermines the public broadcaster's institutional independence, hinders decision-making processes, and introduces excessive bureaucracy into its management.

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Today the ruling majority voted for the new version of the LRT law. Despite the fact that the threatening elements have been removed from it, I can confidently state – the new LRT law is much worse than the current one.

Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė dismissed claims by proponents, such as Juozas Olekas, that the law would provide clearer regulation and a more modern structure for the public broadcaster. She stated that the true objective is not to improve LRT's operations but to "take over the public broadcaster." She argued that the law has no connection to the findings of the State Audit Office and instead creates a "management Frankenstein" that will cost taxpayers an additional 300,000 euros annually.

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It's all not to improve LRT's operations, but to mask the real intentions – to take over the public broadcaster.

The LRT director emphasized that the new law weakens institutional independence and bureaucratizes management, leaving the future functioning of LRT uncertain. She also noted that the Council has not been depoliticized. Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė accused the ruling majority of ignoring recommendations from the STT (Special Investigation Service), the Venice Commission, and other experts, while LRT's funding remains frozen. She lamented the damage done to LRT's image throughout the process, accusing politicians of slander, and expressed hope that the new law will be challenged in the Constitutional Court.

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The ruling majority gave birth to a cumbersome, some kind of management Frankenstein, which will cost taxpayers an additional 300,000 euros per year, complicating and slowing down decision-making.

Parliament recently passed amendments to the LRT law, with 77 members voting in favor. The amendments, prepared by a working group led by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and later revised by the Seimas Committee on Culture, will redefine LRT's mission and expand the Council from 12 to 15 members. The President and Seimas will each delegate four representatives, while the remaining seven will be selected by various Lithuanian organizations, including the Lithuanian Science Council, the Lithuanian Education Council, the Lithuanian Artists' Association, the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference, the Lithuanian Union of Local Community Organizations, the National Coalition of NGOs, and organizations for persons with disabilities. The position of LRT Director General will remain unchanged.

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I hope that this new version will also be appealed to the Constitutional Court.