News

Statement by Lithuania at the UNGA80 Fourth Committee, Questions relating on Information, General Debate on Tuesday, 4 November 2025.

• Let me begin by expressing sincere appreciation of Department of Global Communications and Under-Secretary General Melissa Fleming for your constant efforts to strengthen the UN’s public communication, promoting information integrity and addressing disinformation. We fully support the vital work of the Department.
• It is essential to recognize the strides the UN has made in recent years to counter disinformation and uphold information integrity. Foundational documents such as the Pact for the Future, its annex—the Global Digital Compact—and your own Global Principles for Information Integrity underscore a strong commitment in this regard. Combatting disinformation has also been a top priority for Lithuania in the lead-up to the Summit of the Future.
• We are especially grateful for your valuable support in co-organizing and participating—together with the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom—in the event hosted at the Lithuanian Mission on the role of information integrity in safeguarding multilateralism. The event emphasized the importance of addressing disinformation within the broader context of the Sustainable Development Goals and the climate agenda, while raising awareness of the current challenges to information integrity.
• Being the Co-Chair (together with France and Greece) of the Group of Friends for the Protection of Journalists, closely aligns with Lithuania’s broader efforts to address and counter disinformation. By promoting the protection of journalists and media freedom, Lithuania supports an environment where credible, fact-based reporting can thrive—one of the most effective safeguards against disinformation. This commitment underscores Lithuania’s belief that defending journalists’ safety is essential not only for human rights and democracy but also for building societal resilience to manipulation and false narratives.
• At the core of this commitment is a clear understanding that a healthy information ecosystem—grounded in independent, fact-based and scientific journalism—plays a vital role in helping societies navigate today’s complex environmental challenges. It enables people to distinguish truth from manipulation, uncover environmental crimes and corruption, counter climate disinformation, and make informed choices, including those shaping environmental policy.
• Our shared efforts should place a strong emphasis on fostering independent and pluralistic media. At the international level, Lithuania through both governmental and civil society initiatives—actively support independent media across the European Eastern Neighbourhood, particularly in Ukraine.
• Lithuania is ready to share its whole-of-society approach to combating foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) that threatens international peace and security. After being targeted by the Kremlin’s informational warfare for decades, we recognized disinformation as a national security threat and created an effective and adaptive ecosystem involving government institutions and civil society, that is able to detect, analyze, and react to information threats as they evolve.
• We are proud to note that just last week, Lithuania was ranked first in the 2025 International Media Freedom Support Index, launched in Vienna. This recognition reflects our consistent efforts to champion media freedom internationally, including through active engagement in the UN, UNESCO, and other multilateral fora.
• For example, in collaboration with the OECD we have developed a training program and hosted peer-to-peer seminars in Vilnius, helping international experts build resilience against disinformation.
• Vilnius has also become a hub for independent Russian and Belarusian media in exile. Lithuania remains committed to supporting journalists fleeing persecution – offering visa assistance, studio and broadcasting support, and networking opportunities.
• We will continue sharing our experiences, showcasing effective national measures, and encouraging the adoption of best practices by other countries and international organizations. Through multilateral platforms, we aim to raise awareness of disinformation as a tool for justifying aggression, inciting conflicts, and undermining democratic processes.
• In conclusion, let me reaffirm Lithuania’s strong commitment to advancing our key priorities: supporting independent media, safeguarding freedom of expression and the safety of journalists, and strengthening information integrity in the fight against disinformation.