Reports
Lithuania Weekly: Distrust in Officials and Confusion between Private and Public Interests
Analysis of specifically Kremlin-aligned media in Lithuania revealed that these outlets continued to promote the anti-government narrative. All most engaged stories from this type of media outlet carried negative sentiments targeting the government, trying to turn its audience against the main ruling politicians or national institutions. In the centre of attention this week - Lithuanian Chief of Defence General Valdemaras Rupšys, who made headlines due to revelations about the (mis)use of his state allowance, which he used to rent an apartment from his son. Kremlin-aligned media, whose interest greatly corresponds with anti-government sentiments, widely covered this topic, emphasising the confusion between public and private interests. The authors used the situation to question the general’s morals, negatively picturing not only him, but the whole ruling government and governance system in general. Kremlin-aligned media constantly use similar narratives to draw wider pictures at the national level, beyond single cases.
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Lithuania Weekly: Undermined Support for Ukraine, Upcoming Elections and Political Mistrust
During this reporting period, Kremlin-aligned media emphasised the “failing education system” (due to the ongoing teachers’ protests) and commented on all the revealed candidacies for the upcoming presidential elections. Hostile media has also continued to undermine support for Ukraine, claiming that the main initiators of its fundraisers in Lithuania are widely involved in accounting scandals and are only looking to benefit from the funds themselves.
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Lithuania Weekly: Government Distrust, Ethnic Divisions, and Freedom of Speech Concerns
Lithuanian media was dominated by various topics, giving a clear and convenient basis for anti-government narratives to spread. Teachers’ protest taking place, was picturing Lithuania as a failed state by harshly criticising its education system; recently proposed comprehensive reform plan for the country's Public Security Service (VST) sparked many discussions about its necessity and future impact for people in the field; blames of general incompetence of the ruling government continued to be a prominent topic. Kremlin-aligned media in the country claimed to have “finally figured out” who is mainly benefitting from the war in Ukraine, referring to Western countries, mocked the new or ongoing sanctions imposed on Russia, and kept ironically calling Lithuanian politicians the “real supporters of war”.
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Lithuania Weekly: Political Distrust and Ethnic Controversies
Moscow-born figure skater Margarita Drobiazko losing her Lithuanian citizenship (over her participation in an event in Russia in August 2022), teachers’ protest taking place, increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. Kremlin-aligned media carried on anti-government narrative campaign. Also, articles claimed to “finally figure out”, who mainly benefits from the war in Ukraine.
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