Assembly “Media Freedom in the Context of War, Democracy, and EU Fundamental Rights” to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, on 6 May

Date: 6 May 2025, 10:30

Online streaming: Delfi TV:  https://bitly.cx/oA3kh

Format: two plenary sessions held in the format of discussions: “Challenges to Press Freedom in Democratic States” and “War and the Right of Journalists to Disseminate Information”. Insights and questions from the audience (journalists, representatives of stakeholder institutions, public figures) will be welcome.

Objective: to discuss the challenges to press freedom in democratic states, address the issues of legal protection of journalists, safeguards for their activities during armed conflicts or war; propose potential solutions and develop recommendations for international organisations of journalists.

First session 10:40 – 12:10

Challenges to Press Freedom in Democratic States

Moderator: Mr Aurimas Perednis, journalist and programme host

Panellists:

Pierre Dagard, Head of Advocacy, Reporters Sans Frontières

Indrė Makaraitytė, LRT Investigation Team

Vaidotas Beniušis, journalist, Editor-in-Chief at the news portal www.15min.lt

Ruslanas Iržikevičius, journalist, public relations expert, historian

Dr. Algimantas Šindeikis, attorney at law

Ernestas Alesinas, Head of association at Lithuanian minority media Association

Topics and issues for discussion

• Challenges to the safety of journalists in democratic states. Attacks on journalists as a result of their work. Is the safety of journalists ensured adequately?
• Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), how to protect media representatives more effectively from abusive prosecution for their criticism.
• State-guaranteed legal aid in freedom of speech cases.
• Violence against journalists online, hate speech. Gender-based violence on social networks and other digital platforms.
• How to fight disinformation and propaganda more effectively.

Second session 12:50 – 14:40

War and the Right of Journalists to Disseminate Information

Moderator: Mr Dainius Radzevičius, Chairman the Lithuanian Journalists Union

Panellists:

Ricardo Gutiérrez, General Secretary of the European Federation of Journalists (online)

Nikitchenko Olha, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Lithuania

Lina Kushch, First Secretary of National Union of Journalists of Ukraine

Anna Chernenko, Head of Kharkiv Journalist Centre, war journalist

Mindaugas Kukaitis, Chairman of the Lithuanian Bar Association, attorney at law

Augustinas Šulija, war journalist, TV news reporter

Vidmantas Balkūnas, photojournalist, journalist

Romas Dabrukas, war journalist, cameraman

Topics and issues for discussion

• Safety of journalists, right to access and disseminate information, other challenges experienced by war journalist in the context of military conflicts and war.
• Topics explored by war journalists (personal experience).
• Specifics of dissemination of information in the context of military hostilities. Are journalists ready to work in war conditions and how this can be done?
• How to present information about the war to western societies in an appropriate and comprehensible way?
• Cooperation with the media from foreign countries, international support for press freedom in the context of military hostilities.

Languages: Lithuanian, English

Initiator of the event: Mr Rimantas Mockus, Minister of Justice

Organiser of the event: Ministry of Justice

Partner: Lithuanian Journalists Union

Exhibition. The event will feature an exhibition of works on war journalism by Ukrainian journalists, consisting of two series of photographs: How Ukrainian journalists work on the frontline and Executed Free Speech dedicated to the journalists who have suffered from russia. The exhibition is hosted by the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

In 1993, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as the World Press Freedom Day. On this day, initiatives are held around the world to draw attention to press freedom, the persecution of journalists and other challenges faced by representatives of the media.

On 7 May, Lithuanian journalists commemorate the National Press Restoration, Language and Book Day.