Over 10,000 Protest in Vilnius Against Amendments to Public Broadcaster

The evening of April 8, 2023, witnessed a remarkable event in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, where more than 10,000 people assembled to express their protest against efforts to politicize the public broadcaster LRT. According to LRT, this demonstration became one of the largest in recent years, showcasing the active engagement of civil society in defending freedom of speech and media independence.

The protest was organized against the backdrop of alarming attempts by members of the ruling coalition, led by social democrats, to expedite the adoption of amendments to the legislation regulating the activities of the public broadcaster. These attempts have sparked outrage among journalists, academics, and the general public, who believe that such changes could lead to censorship and restrictions on freedom of speech.

It is worth noting that similar attempts occurred last year when several rallies took place in December near the parliament building, drawing significant numbers of protesters. At that time, the largest demonstration attracted over 10,000 individuals who opposed changes threatening the independence of LRT.

The police estimated the number of participants in the protest on April 8 to be similar to the December actions, indicating a growing concern among the public regarding issues of freedom of speech and media independence in Lithuania. After lawmakers failed to pass the amendments through expedited procedures, a parliamentary working group was formed to review the management system of the broadcasting company.

However, the bill prepared by this working group faced criticism from journalists and academics, who pointed out signs of censorship. As stated by the protest organizer, head of the Association of Professional Journalists (ŽPA) Birutė Davidonaitė, 'They will control what you see and hear. And when you say this out loud, it becomes truly frightening. Experts have already clearly stated that this law can be considered censorship, which is prohibited by the Constitution.'

Participants in the rally also expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of clear explanations from members of the Seimas regarding the purpose of the proposed changes. According to a statement published by the Association of Professional Journalists ahead of the protest, they hoped to halt the expedited changes once again, as had occurred in December of the previous year.

It is important to recall that on December 17, 2022, amid intense debates surrounding controversial legislation regarding LRT, the Seimas of Lithuania managed to pass an amendment that referenced the cat of one of the deputies, which raised numerous questions and outrage among the public.

In light of these events, it is crucial to highlight how society in Lithuania actively defends freedom of speech and media independence. The protests that took place on April 8 served as a vivid testament to the fact that citizens are ready to stand up for their rights and freedoms, as well as support the independence of the public broadcaster, which is a vital element of a democratic society.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop further and how the authorities will respond to the demands of the protesters, as the issues of freedom of speech and media independence continue to be relevant for the entire society.