| Abstract [eng] |
Journalist is a special subject of law to whom is given freedom of self-expression to publish news, opinions, and other information to the public. That freedom is delegated with responsibility. Sanctions will be invoked when the permissible boundaries are crossed. International treaties, Lithuanian legislation, and the Code of Professional Ethics determine liberties of self-expression, professional duties, and ethical boundaries. Unfortunately, the boundaries of responsibility, use of documents, journalist’s professional ethics are often crossed to the expense of other individuals’ rights and liberties. Provided freedom becomes privilege that does not justify the goal. Practice of self-administrative institutions shows that when in hurry and competing for higher ratings or quantity of readers, the journalists of “Lietuvos Rytas” and lrytas.lt violate other individuals’ rights by implementation the freedom of self-expression that is given to them. Communication between self-administrative institutions is still poor, that is why those same inferences of publications vary. It is understandable and justifiable if speaking of particular violations, i.e. the competence and functions of Inspector of Journalist Ethics and Journalists and Publishers Ethics Commission are different. But the principles of provision of information to the public are common. The practice of The Supreme Court of Lithuania analyzing newspaper “Lietuvos rytas” and internet portal lrytas.lt showed that there is no unanimous evaluation system which could be applied to the work of a journalist. Investigation of cases continues for many years, they are then returned again for initial investigation. Public opinion polls show that people do not trust those institutions that can defend their private rights, protect personal information, honour and dignity. The accomplished research revealed journalistic work tendencies of one of the biggest Lithuanian newspapers “Lietuvos rytas” and internet portal lrytas.lt. Those tendencies are worrying for their influence on other smaller mass media, and people that read the paper. The culture of press is shaped by work of this newspaper too. The research shows that if those problems were sold, the influence of this public information means would get better, and by this, the whole culture of public information would be lifted up. |
