How to Reform a Public Broadcaster Without Capturing It

In June 2026, Lithuania adopted a law reforming the legal framework for LRT, the country’s national public broadcaster. The final version of the legislation was considerably more moderate than earlier drafts, which had drawn widespread criticism. It introduced explicit safeguards for editorial independence, narrowed the grounds for dismissing the Director General, strengthened procedural protections, and established a legal duty for Council members to uphold the broadcaster's independence. While these safeguards are significant, their effectiveness will ultimately depend on how they shape the practical distribution of power over public broadcasting.

Civil society's mobilization, including demonstrations, petitions and public statements by LRT journalists, played a key role in shaping the final legislation, leading to the removal of several of the most problematic proposals. The Lithuanian case illustrates that while public broadcasters need oversight and accountability, reforms must be designed carefully to ensure that that oversight does not become a vehicle for political leverage.