Virgis Valentinavičius. No, Jurkynas must resign
The article discusses the controversy surrounding Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė's accusations against LRT's council and calls for the resignation of its chairman, M. Jurkynas.
The article addresses the ongoing tensions at Lithuania's public broadcaster, LRT, where Monika Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, the director, has publicly accused the council of attempting to monopolize the organization. Her allegations include a specific incident involving the disallowance of journalist Remigijus Žemaitaitis from broadcasting, which has sparked considerable debate about media freedom and editorial choices.
The author suggests that these tensions are rooted in the controversial practice of politicians appointing eight out of twelve council members, fostering an environment where conflicts arise as political interests may unduly influence the broadcaster's operations. This setup creates a situation where the council may lean towards responding to political influences, undermining the independence essential for public media.
With journalists protesting and calling for urgent action against Jurkynas, the article emphasizes that the underlying issues go beyond individual decisions. The need for a reformed governance structure at LRT is highlighted to ensure journalistic freedom and reduce conflicts of interest that compromise the integrity of public broadcasting in Lithuania.