The impact of global digital platforms on Lithuanian media, the advertising market and information security were the topics discussed at a roundtable discussion organised by the Seimas Committee on Culture on 8 October, which was attended by Ruslanas Iržikevičius, Director of the Media Support Fund.
During the event, representatives of various institutions, the media, business and expert communities shared their opinions and insights on the current situation and possible solutions to strengthen an independent and resilient information space.
“The media world is struggling to keep up with the fast-moving train, with new tools and technologies emerging that prevent them from competing. The situation in Lithuania is very similar. Since the media cannot compete, and democracy cannot exist without the media, because the media is the fourth estate, we must help the media as much as we can. I believe that contributing to their survival through financing instruments is very important. It is important that the media receive financial support to transform themselves, because it is always difficult for businesses to transform. And if there is no support, it is even more difficult to do so,” said Ruslanas Iržikevičius, director of the Media Support Fund, during the discussion. He also emphasised that the Fund already provides such support through project and editorial financing, and that financing for activities in particular could be expanded.
The event also highlighted the need for technological assistance to the media. R. Iržikevičius reminded that the Fund has the opportunity to create technological tools using the administrative funds available in the Fund’s financing (currently accounting for 8% of the Fund’s budget). These funds are already being used to develop tools (e.g. a voice synthesiser, a tool platform for regional media), and in the future, it will be possible to develop tools for identifying disinformation. However, such projects require more funding. If the Fund’s funding increases, so will the opportunities to finance tools that could be used by all media outlets.
