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To the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania
To the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitan Nausėda
To the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonyte
To the Bureau of the Human Rights Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
To the Office of the Defense and National Security Committee of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania
Office of the Inspector of Journalistic Ethics
LITHUANIAN MEDIA REQUEST FOR MEDIA AT THE BORDER
2021-09-06
A month has passed since Lithuanian journalists were banned from entering the border zone to monitor the patrols of State Border Guard Service officials and other officials at the border.
This current ban severely restricts the right of the media to receive and disseminate information on issues of public interest related to the return of migrants and respect for human rights. Lithuanian journalists do not have a real opportunity to verify the propaganda of the Belarusian regime or the knowledge published by the Lithuanian institutions.
Journalists receive explanations from state authorities that access to the media is restricted due to the risk to journalists that reports covering the situation at the border will be used for hostile propaganda.
Our media are ready to take all the necessary security measures. It is unacceptable to prohibit the activities of journalists on the grounds that they can be used by another state. This cannot be a reason to restrict the freedom of the media and the public’s right to impartial information in a democracy.
We are convinced that only high-quality, unbiased information and unrestricted media work can increase the public’s resistance to propaganda.
Note that the Code of Administrative Offenses establishes responsibility for “the refusal of the heads of state and municipal institutions and establishments to provide information to representatives of the media, except in the case of information not disclosed by virtue of the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, without giving a reason for refusal hinder the professional activity of journalists “. We believe that some decisions of the institutions can be equated with this violation of the law.
We see the risk that the current situation will continue to strengthen the climate of mistrust in society, both in the media and in public institutions. Without the opportunity for journalists to perform their duties in a professional manner, the dissemination of unreliable information and propaganda will increase.
We demand that the Ministry of the Interior immediately allow journalists to work in the State Border Protection Zone and patrol with border guards.
Signed by:
Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT)
Delfi.lt
15min.lt
Lrytas.lt
TV3.lt
BNS news agency
ELTA news agency
Day Meda News (kauno.diena.lt, klaipedos.diena.lt, diena.lt)
LNK television
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