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Amendments are aimed at safeguarding the country and its people from disinformation, incitement of war and hatred, instigation to encroach independence of the state, its constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"No one doubts today that information security is a part of national security. Hostile propaganda, incitement of war and hatred as well as disinformation from abroad menace our country's democracy and security. We must take measures and more actively integrate into the European Union's information space," the president said.

Before submitting amendments to Parliament, the president discussed them with experts from the media, members of the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission and representatives of commercial TV channels and cable TV networks.

According to the president, Lithuanians should be able to receive diverse and truthful information. Therefore, the president has proposed that no less than 90 percent of broadcasted shows would be in official languages of the European Union. Currently around 30 percent of programmes broadcasted in Lithuania are Russian.

Powers of the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission will also be augmented. This will result in prompter response to violations. The commission will be able not only to suspend or terminate broadcasting licenses but also issue fines for propagating and inciting war, infringing sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Lithuania.

Similar rules are in effect in other European Union member states – Germany, France, Slovenia and Malta.