Baltic States – CIS, Legislation, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

Controversial journalist and political figure Aleksey Pimanov described the situation in Lithuania as dramatic.

"Imagine, you are sitting in a cafe in Vilnius and your Lithuanian colleague says that actor Donatas Banionis and basketball player Arvydas Sabonis were loved by the whole Soviet Union. In accordance with Lithuanian laws, you may be prosecuted for these statements for denial of the cruelty of the Soviet occupation," said the host.

This introduction was followed by a report about the ban of some of Channel One programmes and the defamation case against the journalists.

Having thanked for publicity, the host stated that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has stepped up in defence of Channel One. This story is being linked with the ban of Lithuanian dairy products.

According to the programme, the tragedy of 13 January and Lithuania's occupation is recognized only in Lithuania.

Later, the channel repeatedly broadcasted the scandalous report about purported actions against Russians living in Lithuania and lies spread about the Soviet Union in the beginning of Lithuanian independence.

Russian channel called the capture of Vilnius TV tower and the National Radio and Television as liberation from the hands of nationalists. Channel One once again claimed that people that died as the result of these attacks were killed by Lithuanians themselves.