The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is following with serious concern the inquiry opened by the Lithuanian Prosecutor General’s Office into LRT’s Editorial Policy provisions on covert information gathering.

It is legitimate for public authorities to ensure compliance with the law and protect individual rights. Examining how newsrooms take individual editorial decisions is not.

The questions put to LRT go beyond its published rules. They concern how individual covert recordings are requested and authorized, what evidence editors require, how operations are supervised, who may access material and whether requests, including refused requests, are registered.

This raises the following concerns:

Editorial independence. Decisions about whether and how to pursue an investigation are editorial decisions. The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) protects media service providers against state interference in editorial policies and decisions, and safeguards the editorial and functional independence of public service media.

Source protection. Records of proposed investigations, evidence and access to journalistic material could expose confidential sources or unpublished investigations.

Risk to future investigations. Investigative journalism depends on journalists and sources knowing that sensitive editorial processes will remain protected. This risks discouraging investigations before they even begin.

Preserving editorial responsibility. LRT’s Editorial Policy already provides that covert recording may be used only in exceptional circumstances and requires prior authorization by the editor-in-charge. Any external scrutiny in this area should respect the distinction between legitimate application of the law and the autonomy of a media organization to take individual editorial decisions within its established editorial framework.

The EBU urges the Prosecutor General’s Office to ensure that its inquiry remains necessary and proportionate, respects LRT’s editorial independence and does not seek information that could expose confidential sources or unpublished investigations.

The EBU stands with its Member LRT and remains ready to support constructive dialogue with the Lithuanian authorities that safeguards fundamental rights and media freedom.