According to the President, procedural measures applied to persons in a democratic law-governed state must be proportionate. The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania guarantees and protects the public interest to be informed. The President also underlines that Lithuania has international obligations to guarantee and protect the freedom of the press.
"Free media is one of the safeguards of a democratic state. Therefore, the right and the obligation of journalists to provide information to the public cannot be restricted. Freedom of the press must be respected and ensured," the President said.
She noted that the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania must perform an official inspection to find out whether the rights of journalists have not been infringed while conducting investigation.
The President is going to meet soon with representatives of public information providers to discuss possibilities to strengthen legal protection of freedom of the media and of journalists.
