Lithuania: Parliament pushes disputed legislation on public broadcaster

After a marathon debate, the Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, approved in second reading amendments to legislation governing the appointment and dismissal of the head of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reported. Unexpectedly, MPs approved a satirical provision that would involve an opposition MP’s cat in the process of removing…

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Lithuania: Three-day protest to protect public broadcaster

Journalists and cultural workers in Lithuania have begun a three-day protest outside the parliament, the Seimas, against legislation that would facilitate dismissing the director of the country’s public broadcaster, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), BNS reports. Also, inflatable “air dancer” dolls were set up outside the office of President Gitanas Nauseda, urging him to…

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Estonia: EU Commission criticises public broadcaster funding

The European Commission (EC) warned that the current funding model for Estonia’s public broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), may violate the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), ERR reports. Giuseppe Abbamonte, deputy director-general of the EC’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology in charge of media policy, stated that Estonia’s protection of the independence of public…

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Estonia: Media association opposes TTJA’s proposal on media regulation

The Estonian Association of Media Enterprises (EML) strongly opposes a proposal for the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) to function as an independent media regulator for the entire media market, ERR reports. The Ministry of Culture has shared the draft proposal with over 40 organisations and institutions, seeking their feedback. EML emphasised…

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