Lithuanians Rally Against Public Media Law as EU Raises Concerns

Thousands of Lithuanians gathered outside parliament in Vilnius on Wednesday to oppose changes to the public broadcaster law, reviving a movement that drew mass protests in December over concerns that media independence could be in peril.

The “Hands Off Free Speech” protest, which the police estimate attracted at least 10,000 people, marks the latest backlash against the legislation. Critics say the law would make it easier to dismiss public broadcaster LRT’s director general and leave the outlet vulnerable to political interference.