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Statement by Dangira West, Chargé d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna

Stockholm Conference on Freedom of the Media

I session. Facilitating a safe media environment through national strategies, experiences and action plans

18 May 2021

First of all let me thank the Swedish Chairpersonship and the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ms. Teresa Ribeiro, for hosting this Conference.

It provides an occasion to reiterate our conviction that free, diverse and independent media is fundamental to building fair and impartial institutions, speaking truth to power, and holding leaders accountable.  The commitment of states to establish a favourable environment for free and independent media must be upheld vigorously.

Lithuania is committed to ensure a safe and enabling environment for media and to promote the safety of journalists. Lithuania is taking an active part in encouraging the advancement of international commitments related to the right to freedom of expression as well as international standards on the safety of journalists and other media actors.

Regrettably, in spite of their international obligations, some participating States fall short of promoting a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work safely, independently, and without undue interference or influence. Too often, journalists and media actors across our region are subjected to human rights violations and abuses. Journalists and other media actors face torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, detention and expulsion, intimidation, harassment, and threats.

The most appalling situation presents itself when state authorities deliberately repress free media and specifically targets independent journalists in order to supress any critical voice. In some participating states, the shrinking space for freedom of expression and the increasing number of threats, violence, as well as fear of arbitrary persecution is driving journalists and other media actors to work underground, force them into exile or abandon journalism altogether. We regret that, even as we speak today, journalists are arrested and imprisoned in Belarus.  Independent websites, including Tut.by, are blocked, leaving the country with nearly no free media.

Lithuania has committed itself to offer support to threatened individuals, especially journalists. In recent years, Lithuania has provided political asylum and protection to a significant number of journalists and media actors, mostly coming from Belarus and Russia.

We will do our utmost to ensure a safe working environment for those, who are unable to perform their job in their own countries. However, such situations should only be a temporary solution. Therefore, we will continue arguing that it is the duty of free media and journalists to report on issues of public interest and act as a watchdog, and it is the obligation of the state authorities to ensure they can do so in an atmosphere free of fear and intimidation.

Thank you.