Adoption of a resolution by the European Parliament on the attempted takeover of the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT

IRIS 2026-2:1/11

Eric Munch

European Audiovisual Observatory

On 22 January 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the attempted takeover of the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT and the threat it posed to democracy in Lithuania. It was adopted by 385 votes to 165 (with 35 abstentions).

After noting that it recognises the essential role of national public service media providers in safeguarding a pluralistic and resilient democracy (by upholding and promoting the values enshrined in Article 2, Treaty on European Union - TEU) and countering disinformation propaganda and other forms of manipulation, the Parliament condemns all attempts to undermine the independence of LRT, including legislative and administrative measures and political pressure aimed at acquiring political control over it. The important role of the public service broadcaster in preserving media pluralism, as recognised in Protocol (No. 29) of the Treaties, is also noted.

The Parliament considers that the freezing and reduction of LRT's funding, in the absence of objective economic necessity, constitutes political pressure incompatible with constitutional guarantees and Article 5(3) of the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). It also considers that the proposed amendments to lower the safeguards for the early dismissal of LRT’s director general risk enabling arbitrary political interference and are incompatible with both constitutional guarantees and EU standards for public service media independence, including Article 5(2) EMFA.

Furthermore, the Parliament strongly condemns any form of ad personam legislation, and recalls that laws designed to target specific individuals because of the independent performance of their professional activities are incompatible with the principles of pluralistic democracy and the rule of law. It notes that the use of accelerated legislative procedure for those amendments, lacking any objective and constitutionally justified grounds and meaningful participation of key stakeholders and civil society, falls short of the requirements of a transparent, accountable, inclusive and democratic lawmaking procedure.

It urges the Lithuanian parliament (the Seimas), to reject the pending amendments, which notably include lowering the threshold for dismissing the LRT director general and removing the requirement that the dismissal be based on objective consideration of public interest. It also calls on the Lithuanian parliament and government to minimise political influence in the formation of the LRT Council, including by reducing the number of seats allocated to the appointees of political bodies and by establishing adequate professional requirements for the council members. The parliament also urges them to repeal already adopted – and refrain from adopting – legislative measures and budgetary frameworks undermining the independence of LRT, ensuring consistency with the requirements of the EMFA’s Article 5.

It also requests that the European Commission monitor any developments with regard to media freedom and public service media independence in Lithuania, to assess compliance with the EMFA and the principle of the rule of law.