The meeting with the President was attended by over 90 news editors and managers of global TV broadcasters. International topicalities, regional security, Lithuania's experience in fighting propaganda and other hybrid threats as well as dangers emerging to media freedom were discussed.
According to the President, in hybrid war conditions professional and objective media is a key prerequisite to fight lies, propaganda and incitement of hatred. Any attempts to limit the freedom of the media pose a threat not only to democracy, but to national security too.
Lithuania ranks 36th among 180 countries in the Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Lithuania receives international criticism over the attempts by politicians to limit the freedom of journalists and to interfere with the national broadcaster. Cyber attacks against Lithuanian media outlets cause serious concern.
The President consistently defends media freedom in Lithuania by putting a hold on initiatives aimed at limiting journalist activities or legalizing their prosecution, as well as by strengthening the protection of information sources.
Lithuania’s experience in fighting disinformation and other hybrid threats was also discussed at the meeting. According to Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuanian journalists contribute in a major way to defending our country and public space from lies and propaganda. Lithuania has already become a model for Europe on countering disinformation and information attacks through concerted efforts by the media, civil society and the government. Fake news is disclosed by means of artificial intelligence, journalists are launching personal initiatives aimed at increasing propaganda awareness among school students. The Lithuanian Elves are fighting the Kremlin's propaganda online.
At the meeting, the President underlined that even in an unpredictable neighborhood, the Lithuanian people were able to build a successful and prosperous state. Lithuania is competitive on the global market with innovations in life sciences and lasers, it ranks 13th on the list of most liberal economies, and the GDP growth per capita has been the highest in the EU since 2000.
