VILNIUS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian parliament Thursday adopted amendments requiring at least 90 percent of TV content rebroadcast in Lithuania to be in the official languages of the European Union (EU).
The bill states that rebroadcasters and entities distributing TV programs to Lithuanian consumers "have to prefer the official EU languages."
"Currently, up to 30 percent of all rebroadcasted programs in Lithuania are in the Russian language," Laurynas Kasciunas, conservative MP and one of the authors of the bill was quoted as saying by news agency BNS.
Lithuanian MPs say the decision is aimed at integrating Lithuanian information space into the EU information space.
The requirement does not apply to TV programs' packages provided for an additional fee.
The bill was passed with 66 MPs in favor, three against and five abstained.
The bill, which is subject to approval by the country's president, is expected to come into force as of this November. Enditem
