M. Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė, the head of the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), announced that the Venice Commission would provide an urgent evaluation of the recent amendments proposed to the LRT law. These amendments, which include freezing LRT funding and changes to the procedure for dismissing the director, sparked concerns from LRT leadership, leading to their prompt request for review. The commission's conclusions regarding the initial amendments are anticipated to be released in the coming days.

The issue was discussed during a plenary session of the Venice Commission, attended by not only Garbačiauskaitė-Budrienė but also other Lithuanian representatives, including social democrat parliamentarian Indrė Kižienė and Artūras Zuokas from the Mixed Affairs Group. The discussions have raised significant attention due to the potential implications these amendments could have on the independence of LRT and the broader context of media freedom in Lithuania, especially with political pressures surrounding public media.

The rapid development of this situation reflects the ongoing tensions between governmental policies and media independence in Lithuania, a country currently navigating various challenges regarding media freedoms. The Venice Commission's findings will not only impact the proposed LRT law amendments but could also set a precedent for future legislative discussions concerning the media sector, highlighting the importance of transparency and inclusion in the legislative process.