The Commission believes Lithuania has proved that the Russian channel, under Sweden’s jurisdiction, is being broadcast by the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) and that it was registered under the name Rossiya RTR by the Swedish Broadcasting Authority in 2012.
According to the RTCL, the EC ruling also states that Lithuania has proved that RTR Planeta programs repeatedly contained clear and serious violations of the ban to incite hatred as several countries, including the Baltic states, were threatened with occupation and military assault, and also incited discord and national hatred.
In February, the RTCL issued a third temporary ban on broadcasting RTR Planeta in Lithuania for inciting hatred. The watchdog previously banned the Russian-language channel for three months in 2015 and 2016. In all cases, the EC ruled the Lithuanian watchdog’s actions to be lawful, founded and in line with EU law.