OSCE media freedom representative calls on Lithuania to decriminalize defamation, better protect confidential sources

VILNIUS, 17 December 2013 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged Lithuania to join the tide of European countries by repealing criminal defamation laws and adopting “shield laws” that protect journalistic sources.

Welcoming that such a conference was organized by the Lithuanian Journalists’ Union and the Ministry of Culture and held at the Constitution Hall of the Lithuanian Parliament in Vilnius, Mijatović said: “The freer the media, the freer the nation. Ridding every country of criminal defamation laws will make the OSCE nations models of free media and the openness that we all desire.”

“It is in the public interest for journalists to report wrongdoing,” she said. “Media workers must be free to do their work, which includes using sources that require confidentiality. I welcome the efforts undertaken by authorities to provide additional protection to journalists’ sources.”

The Representative offered the assistance of her Office in reviewing the draft legislation that was recently registered at the Seimas (Parliament).

The conference aimed at promoting decriminalization and advocating stronger protection for journalists’ confidential sources. The one-day event was attended by lawmakers, government officials and journalists. It was opened by the speaker of Seimas Loreta Graužinienė. Other speakers included Minister of Culture Šarūnas Birutis and Dainius Radzevičius, Chairman of Lithuanian Journalists’ Union.