Mar 20 • 07:17 UTC 🇱🇹 Lithuania Lrytas

Media organizations propose stricter regulations for penalties for refusing to provide information to journalists

Media organizations in Lithuania are advocating for stricter regulations to penalize state and municipal institutions that refuse to provide information to journalists.

In Lithuania, various media organizations, including the Public Information Ethics Association (VIEA) and numerous broadcasting and journalism associations, have proposed amendments to the Seimas Culture Committee aimed at enforcing stricter regulations concerning the penalties for institutions that deny information to journalists. This initiative seeks to ensure journalists can effectively access information from government and municipal bodies, thereby guaranteeing that the public remains timely and thoroughly informed.

The proposal highlights an increasing trend where journalists encounter unjust refusals from institutions or delays in receiving requested information. Currently, under existing regulations, such refusals can only be challenged through an administrative disputes commission or in court, which often prolongs the resolution process and hampers journalistic work. The advocates argue that the current system does not provide sufficient protection for journalists and the public's right to know.

By pushing for these amendments, the media organizations not only aim to safeguard journalistic rights but also to foster a more transparent relationship between the media and public institutions. If successful, these changes could promote greater accountability among government entities in Lithuania and ensure a more informed citizenry, potentially leading to more robust democratic engagement and oversight in the country's governance processes.

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