[ad_1]
“From the beginning, it was evident that this announcement issued by the UAB 15min exceeds the requirements of the applicable laws. The competent authority has confirmed this today, “said a spokesman for the Prime Minister in a comment sent to Elta, pointing out various circumstances of S. Skvernel’s decision to draft a complaint.
“The complaint to the Consumer Protection Service was drawn up after the prime minister’s family heard the announcement while visiting a cinema, before the screening of the children’s film. An announcement that intimidates the voice and name of the Prime Minister. To the extent that it is correct and ethical, that society decides, “said the comment.
At the same time, T. Beržinskas pointed out that 15 minutes on his own initiative, even before the VTAT decision, interrupted the broadcast of publicity that had caused the Prime Minister’s outrage.
It should be noted that the UAB “15min” on its own initiative, even before VTAT’s decision, stopped broadcasting advertising. This shows that they understood the violation they were committing. On the other hand, it cannot be ruled out that in doing so, the main objective was simply to apply a lesser sanction to VTAT ”, said a spokesman for the Head of Government.
At the same time, he reacted to criticism of the VTAT verdict voiced by editor-in-chief Raimundas Celencevičius on Friday. The latter said on the social network this Friday that VTAT’s decision caused great frustration and concern about the restricted freedom of the media and the ability of journalists to investigate and criticize freely and without hindrance the activities of politicians.
“Books on politicians are widely published and promoted throughout the free and democratic world. And not with their shadows, but with real images, and with names and surnames. It turns out that in Lithuania, which appreciates democratic values, this is a violation grave, which was established without delving into the idea and content of the book, ”wrote R. Celencevičius.
The comment posted by T. Beržinskas states that such a position is surprising.
“It is surprising that UAB 15min, when announcing the VTAT verdict, spoke of the oppression of freedom of expression and democracy in Lithuania. This is not true. The VTAT’s decision is not about freedom of expression and democracy, nor about restricting the public’s right to know. VTAT’s decision is that no one, not journalists or other citizens, has the right to use the name and voice of another person without their consent for commercial purposes. In other words, to make a profit.
A book is a product for which the consumer has to pay. This is not a portal where anyone can read a published post for free (except in rare cases where content is paid). It is obvious that by publicizing the book in a manner prohibited by law, the UAB 15min was primarily pursuing commercial objectives. The main objective was and still is to make a profit, not to inform the public ”, says T. Beržinskas, finally adding that after the Seimas elections, the Prime Minister will decide whether the content of the book“ Cabinet 339 ”should not apply to the court. .
“The lawyers who advised the Prime Minister have long requested that the relevant authorities be contacted to obtain information contained in the book that they consider false, based on subjective or even defamatory inferences. The Prime Minister will make a decision on such appeal after the Seimas elections ”, summed up T. Beržinskas.
After examining the case, VTAT recognized that UAB 15min did not comply with the requirements of the Advertising Law and used personal data in advertising without consent, “taking into account that the applicant’s name was clearly heard in the advertisement.”
Taking into account the scope and duration of the infringement and the fact that the company stopped the distribution of said advertising in cinemas and withdrew the advertising from the YouTube social network, a 15min warning was issued to the UAB for violating the provisions of the Advertising Law.
You will decide whether to appeal this decision within 15 minutes after hearing the arguments presented in the SCRPA decision.
ELTA remembers that in 2019. The book Kabinetas 339, published in December 2006, tells of a 15-year journalistic investigation of journalists Birutė Davidonytė and Dovydas Pancerovas, whose center is Prime Minister S. Skvernelis.
On March 4, the Prime Minister filed a complaint alleging the use of opinion and image without his consent, as well as a violation of honor, dignity and corporate reputation.
No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of ELTA.
[ad_2]
