Nausėda to review LRT law amendments before deciding

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda will make a decision on amendments to the national radio and television law once he has reviewed their specific content, confirmed presidential advisor Ridas Jasiulionis. The Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, recently approved these amendments, which are set to reshape the governance structure of the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT). The legislative changes passed with a significant majority, with 77 members voting in favor and only one against. Spearheaded by a working group led by Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and further refined by the Seimas Culture Committee, the new law introduces a definition for LRT's mission and expands its governing Council from 12 to 15 members. The breakdown of these new council seats allocates four representatives each to the president and the Seimas, with the remaining seven to be selected by various Lithuanian academic, cultural, and community organizations, including the Lithuanian Science Council, the Lithuanian Education Council, and the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference. Furthermore, the amendments stipulate that the LRT Director General can be dismissed before their term ends if they no longer meet the requirement of impeccable reputation or commit a gross violation of duties. Such a dismissal would require a majority vote of at least two-thirds of the Council members. However, the Council retains the discretion to decide whether this vote is conducted openly or secretly. The Special Investigation Service (STT) had previously raised concerns about potential legal ambiguity, suggesting that removing the explicit requirement for an open vote on the Director General's dismissal could lead to less transparency and public accountability in the Council's decisions.

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The President will make a decision on the amendments to the law after familiarizing himself with their content.