The Venice Commission has called for a review of the Lithuanian law that froze funding for the national broadcaster LRT, highlighting a lack of impact assessment and consultation.
The Venice Commission has urged Lithuanian lawmakers to reconsider their recent legislation that froze funding for the national public broadcasting service LRT at 2025 levels for the years 2026-2028. This decision was criticized for being made without proper impact assessments or significant consultations with LRT representatives, indicating potential shortcomings in the legislative process.
The law, passed by the Seimas in November last year, has raised concerns among stakeholders about its implications for media independence and the public's right to information. The freezing of funding at previous levels could undermine the national broadcaster's ability to maintain quality programming and effectively operate, potentially affecting its role in informing the public.
The Venice Commission's involvement brings attention to international standards regarding media funding and operations, emphasizing the necessity for transparency and proper processes in legislation concerning public services. This call to action could lead to further discussions in Lithuania about the balance between fiscal management and the safeguarding of democratic media institutions.
