Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

It is said that the amendments will augment protection of Lithuania's information sphere by safeguarding it against information menacing national security.

The law establishes fines to broadcasters amounting to 3% of their annual income for publishing war propaganda or information inciting to change Lithuania's constitutional order through the use of force, instigating attempts against Lithuania's sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence, or for publishing information that incites war or hatred.

Re-broadcasters may face fines amounting to 3% of their annual income for failing to ensure that programmes adhere to national requirements established by the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania or for repeated broadcast of programmes that include the aforementioned violations.

The law was amended with a provision, which enables a person to appeal to institutions responsible for control of information that may not be published with a motivated request to carry out an investigation or apply sanctions in case violations were made.

If circumstances mentioned in the appeal turn out to be true, a responsible institution will have to make a decision in 20 days confirming the fact that information which may not be published was indeed published or disseminated and will have to impose objective sanctions to producer and/or disseminator of such information.

In addition, the amendments entrusted Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania with more duties and responsibilities.

79 MPs voted for the amendments to the Law on Provision of Information to the Public, 4 voted against and 27 abstained.