Complaint regarding violation of media freedom and distribution restrictions in Lithuania
to the European Commission,
I hereby submit a complaint concerning a serious restriction of media freedom and potential violations of EU law in the Republic of Lithuania.
1. Affected media outlets
The following newspapers were removed from distribution through major retail chains and the state-owned postal service:
- Respublika
- Vakaro žinios
- Laisvas laikraštis
These publications were thereby excluded from the principal channels for reaching readers in Lithuania.
2. Coordinated removal from distribution
The removal was not limited to a single distributor but involved:
- major private retail chains, and
- the state-owned enterprise Lietuvos paštas.
This resulted in a de facto blockage of distribution, significantly impairing the ability of these media outlets to operate.
3. Evidence of non-commercial motivation
A written statement from one retail chain explicitly declared that “these publications should have been closed long ago,” indicating a non-commercial, content-related rationale.
Furthermore, the owner of one of the retail chains, Dainius Dundulis, has publicly acknowledged that the decision was influenced by external pressure.
This strongly suggests that the removal was not an independent commercial decision, but rather the result of coordinated or induced action.
4. State involvement
The participation of Lietuvos paštas, a state-owned enterprise, raises serious concerns of indirect state interference in media distribution.
Such involvement may engage the responsibility of the State under EU law.
5. Possible violations of EU law
These actions appear incompatible with Europos žiniasklaidos laisvės aktas, in particular:
- undermining editorial independence through indirect economic pressure;
- discriminatory treatment of specific media outlets based on content or viewpoint;
- failure to ensure that restrictions affecting media are lawful, proportionate, and subject to safeguards.
In addition, the coordinated nature of the actions may raise concerns under EU competition law (possible collusion restricting market access).
6. Violation of fundamental rights
The described conduct may violate:
- Article 11 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;
- Europos žmogaus teisių konvencijos 10 straipsnis.
By effectively preventing distribution, the authorities and involved actors interfered with the right to impart information and undermined media pluralism.
7. Request
I respectfully request that the European Commission:
- investigate the coordinated removal of the above-mentioned newspapers from distribution channels;
- assess the role of Lietuvos paštas as a state-owned entity in restricting media access to the public;
- examine whether external pressure influenced private market actors;
- determine whether there has been a breach of the European Media Freedom Act and EU competition rules;
- take appropriate enforcement action to ensure compliance with EU law.
I am ready to provide supporting documentation, including written statements and publicly available admissions regarding external pressure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
