DW Akademie shares international concerns over threats to the Lithuanian National Radio and Television's independence

The independence of public service broadcasting is crucial for its democratic mission: To provide reliable and unbiased information in the interests of the population – and not on behalf of any private owner or state institution.

DW Akademie is actively supporting the development and independence of public service broadcasting worldwide. And we share the concerns of EBU and other international stakeholders over a possible exertion of political influence on the Lithuanian National Radio and Television’s (LRT) governance.

LRT has become a flagship for public service broadcasting in Post Soviet Europe and played a key role in the democratization process of the Baltic countries. DW Akademie is therefore appealing to the Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) and its ad hoc Parliamentary Commission to respect and support LRT’s independence now and in the future.