14% of Lithuanians Continue Watching Russian TV Despite Ban

A recent survey by the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (RTCL) reveals that 14% of Lithuanians still watch Russian TV programs, despite a significant majority not missing them. This finding comes in the wake of Lithuania's ban on Russian and Belarusian TV channels in response to concerns over war incitement and propaganda following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Why this matters: This survey highlights the ongoing challenge of regulating foreign media influence and its impact on national security. The persistence of Russian TV viewership in Lithuania could have implications for the country's efforts to counter disinformation and propaganda.

The survey, conducted by market research company Kantar in May, polled 1,123 people and found that four out of five respondents (80%) do not miss Russian TV channels. Among young people under 29 years old, this sentiment was even stronger, with over 90% indicating they do not miss these channels.

Older individuals and those of Polish or Russian nationality are more likely to continue watching Russian TV channels. The survey found that almost half of these viewers access the content through traditional TV, while 34% use specialized websites, 27.7% rely on social networks, and 14.7% use satellite. YouTube emerged the most frequently used platform for accessing Russian-language TV channels, with 64.3% of respondents using it.

In terms of news consumption, more than half of the respondents do not watch news on foreign channels at all. Among those who do, the British public broadcaster BBC is the most popular, watched by 23.8% of respondents, followed by Euronews (18.8%), CNN (17.7%), and Deutsche Welle (6.1%).

The backdrop to this survey includes Lithuania's legislative actions to curb the influence of Russian and Belarusian media. In April, the Seimas, Lithuania's parliament, adopted amendments to the Law on Public Information, effectively banning the retransmission of programs produced by companies registered in Russia and Belarus as long as they pose a threat to national security.

Despite the ban and the general disinterest in Russian TV, a small segment of the population continues to seek out these programs. The persistence of this viewership highlights the complex media environment in Lithuania and the enduring appeal of Russian-language content for certain demographics.

The survey highlights the varied media consumption habits within Lithuania and the ongoing challenges in regulating foreign media influence. As Lithuania continues to address these complexities, the findings provide a snapshot of the current state of media consumption and the impact of recent legislative measures.

Key Takeaways

• 14% of Lithuanians still watch Russian TV programs despite a ban.
• 80% of respondents don't miss Russian TV channels, especially young people.
• Older individuals and those of Polish/Russian nationality are more likely to watch Russian TV.
• YouTube is the most popular platform for accessing Russian-language TV channels.
• Lithuania's ban on Russian/Belarusian TV channels aims to counter disinformation and propaganda.