Juozas Olekas, a politician, expressed confidence that the conclusions from the Venice Commission regarding proposed amendments to the Law on the National Broadcaster LRT will be available before the spring parliamentary session starts on March 10, 2024. The Venice Commission will hold a meeting on March 6, during which their position on the matter will be discussed and subsequently integrated into the legislative proposal that will be presented in the Seimas.

The draft prepared by the working group aims to define the mission of the national broadcaster, which is currently absent in the legal framework. It also proposes the establishment of a new governing body for the national broadcaster - a board - and an increase in the number of members in the LRT Council from 12 to 15. Furthermore, the working group intends to outline specific qualifications for council members, addressing a current gap in the legislation and ensuring that those appointed have at least five years of experience in management-related positions.

As the working group prepares to submit their draft to the Seimas, the emphasis on aligning with the Venice Commission’s recommendations reflects a commitment to improving governance and transparency within the national broadcaster. This move is potentially significant for the structure and operation of the LRT, as it aims to enhance its accountability and adaptability to existing media standards and recommendations from international bodies.