Lithuania

[LT] Public Information Law Updated

IRIS 2001-8:1/24

Yana Sklyarova

Moscow Media Law and Policy Centre

On 21 December 2000 the President of Lithuania signed into law amendments to the law "On provision of information to the public (1996)". The amendments provide for further changes in broadcasting law pursuant to Lithuania's obligations under the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.

First, the law clarifies the requirements to protect minors from programmes detrimental to their physical, intellectual and moral development, particularly that which is linked with pornography and (or) gratuitous portrayal of violence (Art.18). It eliminates the requirement to mark with a special visual symbol and acoustic warnings those programmes of violent or erotic nature.

The law clearly prohibits broadcasting of such programmes between 06:00 and 23:00 hours.

Another amendment deals with the implementation of provisions on broadcasting events of major importance for society of the Republic of Lithuania. Article 38 confers on the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (in the case of commercial broadcasters) and on the Council for the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (in the case of the public broadcasting company) the right to make regulations in this regard.

Article 48 imposes on the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission the obligation of including in its regular analytical review of audiovisual policy in Lithuania the statistical data on implementation of the requirements on the accessibility of the events of major importance to the public. It shall eventually indicate the reasons for the failure to achieve the required progress and the measures taken or envisaged to eliminate shortgation to submit to the Commission similar data and, in case of non-compliance, they must provide reasons for their failure to implement these provisions, as well as report on the measures taken or envisaged to eliminate these shortcomings.

Article 39 extends the scope of the advertising-related provisions of the law to teleshopping.