„It is obvious that all these promises that they will sit down, discuss, take breaks, talk, are just another lie from the Social Democrats. (...) They have no intention of talking,“ Davidonytė told LRT radio on Thursday.
She stated that the community's further actions will depend on how the project is presented.
„We will discuss other measures and will certainly respond to this as best we can. I think the rush is also related to the fact that the Social Democrats hope the public will not have time to mobilise and respond to such swift action. We will manage to do so. And I have really started to think that perhaps the time has come to remember historical times and light bonfires in front of the Seimas if no other measures are understood,“ said Davidonytė.
She also pointed out that if those in power do not stop, the journalistic community will appeal to international organisations about their actions.
„If they continue to do so, they will ultimately lose the reputation of the state, and we will definitely report their actions to all international organisations that already support us, with which we already have connections in the international media, as well as to European social democrats,“ said Davidonytė.
„I think it's time for them to consider whether the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party should belong to the European Social Democratic family,“ she added.
As announced, a new draft law on LRT registered by the ruling party was published on Wednesday. The latter also proposes that the council be able to dismiss the director general of LRT by secret ballot. However, it is envisaged that the LRT council could dismiss the head of the public broadcaster if they fail to perform the functions provided for in the law or if the commission does not approve the annual LRT activity report and if more than half of all council members vote in favour of such a vote of no confidence.
ELTA reminds us that at the end of November, the Seimas began considering a controversial proposal to simplify the procedure for dismissing the LRT director general.
Due to a draft law making its way through the Seimas, which journalists believe threatens LRT's independence, a protest called „Hands off free speech“ took place on Tuesday. More than 10,000 protesters took part.
International media organisations have also criticised the proposed amendments.
The initial draft, which was approved by parliamentarians after submission, proposed that the public broadcaster's council could dismiss the LRT Director General by secret ballot, with at least half of all council members voting in favour, without having to justify the decision on grounds of public interest.
Currently, the law allows dismissal of the Director General of LRT only if at least two-thirds of all board members vote in favour of a motion of no confidence. Incidentally, this vote is open. The LRT Council must also justify its vote of no confidence in the Director General on public-interest grounds.
However, last week, the Seimas Culture Committee decided to commission experts from Vilnius University to assess the impact of amendments to the law intended to facilitate the dismissal of the LRT director. Until the assessment conclusions are presented, the draft cannot be considered by the Seimas or the Culture Committee.