| Abstract [eng] |
The master's thesis analyzes the legal framework in Lithuania aimed at protecting minors from the harmful impact of public information, with particular focus on its implementation and the role of responsible institutions. The first part examines the development of children's rights, key constitutional and international principles, and relevant EU legal acts. It focuses on Article 17 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, the Digital Services Act, and pertinent case law. The second part reviews the main national legal acts: the Law on the Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child, the Law on Public Information, and the Law on the Protection of Minors Against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information (NANNVIPĮ), their key provisions, and historical development. The third part analyzes the legal acts governing the activities of the main institutions responsible for implementing NANNVIPĮ oversight—namely, the Office of the Inspector of Journalist Ethics, the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission, the Communications Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Culture, and others—along with their division of functions and practical challenges. The fourth part evaluates the effectiveness of the current legal framework based on interviews with institutional representatives and the theoretical concept of the social effectiveness of law. The empirical study revealed that the regulation does not fully achieve its intended goals. Legal norms often lack clarity and raise concerns regarding their alignment with constitutional principles. The institutional oversight model is not sufficiently effective—competence overlaps persist, and responsibilities are not clearly defined. Moreover, the regulation is not adequately adapted to the dynamics of harmful content dissemination in the digital environment. To improve effectiveness, the institutional model should be optimized by clarifying functional boundaries, enhancing institutional and international cooperation, and strengthening preventive measures. |
