The Lithuanian government has proposed to extend the powers to restrict content that incites hatred and violence or contains “war propaganda”.
On Wednesday, the cabinet decided to submit legal amendments to the parliament for approval. According to the proposal, the inspector of journalists' ethics could issue binding instructions to internet providers to remove or eliminate access to the prohibited information.
At present, this can only be done by the police.
The proposed legislation would also provide for a "two-speed" procedure for suspending or terminating a media outlet's activities – a normal as well as an expedited procedure for "obvious, serious and grave" breaches of the law.
The inspector of journalists' ethics would need a court warrant to suspend the activities of a media outlet.
According to the initiators of the amendments, the suspension or termination would only be possible when the information disseminated is "harmful to society in general, rather than to individuals".
Read more: Lithuanian MPs call to outlaw 'Z' symbol, synonymous with Putin's war in Ukraine
The cabinet is asking the parliament to debate and vote on the proposed amendments under a fast-track procedure.
Attention to warmongering and propaganda intensified in Lithuania after Russia attacked Ukraine in late February.
Lithuania declared a state of emergency hours after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The measure, in effect at least until April 20, bans "radio and television channels and/or individual channels of entities established, directly or indirectly managed, controlled, or funded" by Russia or Belarus from being retransmitted and distributed in Lithuania online.
It also provides for a possibility to restrict the activities of Lithuanian media outlets if they disseminate disinformation, war propaganda, warmongering, incitement to war or incitement to violate Lithuania's sovereignty by force, and if this is related to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
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