OSCE Representative welcomes Presidential veto of amendments criminalizing disclosure of information in closed court proceedings in Lithuania

VIENNA, 3 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed a decision by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to veto amendments to Lithuania’s Criminal Code that could severely affect the public’s right to information.

“This is a very positive step and I am pleased to be able to welcome it, especially on World Press Freedom Day, which this year is dedicated to the right to access to information,” Mijatović said.

The amendments, adopted by the Lithuanian Parliament on 14 April, would have introduced criminal liability for making material public from closed court proceedings without exemption. The offence would have been considered a misdemeanor, punishable by community service or by a fine, or by restrictions of liberty or arrest.  

On 26 April, the President returned the amendments to the Parliament for reconsideration, arguing that the law would restrict the media’s rights and the public’s interest and make court proceedings less transparent. The President noted that the amendments could lead to the abuse of the right to closed court meetings in cases involving public figures.

“These amendments could have hampered investigative journalism,” Mijatovic said. “The public’s interest in particular information can be so strong that it justifies publication of information considered to be confidential.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.