   
|
|
LITHUANIA
The Constitution provides for freedom of speech and of
the press. The Government generally respects these
rights in practice.
Prior
restraint over either print or broadcast media and
restrictions on disclosure are prohibited, unless the
Government determines that national security is
involved. The Parliament adopted its long-awaited
media law in 1996, after a draft public information law
failed to pass in 1995 because most independent news
publications and many prominent journalists protested
that it was too restrictive. The new media law
introduced an element of self-regulation but postponed a
difficult decision on television advertising. Under
the new law, the media are to create a special ethics
commission and an ombudsman to check libel cases and
other complaints. The final version of the law
allows reporting on the private lives of officials as
long as the information affects the welfare of the
people.
The
independent print media has flourished since
independence, including a wide range of economic
newspapers and specialty magazines. Officially
there are over 2,000 newspapers and magazines registered,
but only a fraction are still published.
Journalists
covering organized crime continue to receive threats to
their safety and welfare.
State radio
and five private radio stations broadcast throughout the
country. In addition to state television, which is
in the process of being transformed into public
television, three private television stations also
broadcast regular programming nationwide.
Additional radio and television stations, including a
Polish-language radio station in the Vilnius region, are
found throughout the country in population centers.
There are no
restrictions on academic freedom.
|
