Lithuanian Internet providers ordered to block IP addresses that help access Russian TV channels

VILNIUS. March 13 (Interfax) - The Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania has decided to order Internet providers this week to block IP addresses to hinder access to Russian television channels targeted by European Union sanctions.

According to the government's press release circulated on Monday, the commission established that content of TV channels subjected to EU sanctions is disseminated online. It has also been established that packages of these banned TV channels can be accessed via the IP addresses of servers that are used to access Russian TV stations such as NTV, Channel One, Rossiya-1 (VGTRK), Rossiya-24 (VGTRK), and RTR Planeta (VGTRK).

This decision was adopted on March 8 after discussions with representatives of Internet providers, as well as following a positive assessment of these providers' preparedness and technical capabilities to implement the decision this week.

Internet providers will be given five working days after the decision is enacted to block access to IP addresses that are used to watch the aforementioned TV channels, it said.

After the Lithuanian parliament adopted amendments to the law on public information in 2022, Lithuania banned the rebroadcasting and dissemination online of television and radio channels of companies set up in Russia and Belarus that directly or indirectly are owned, controlled or financed by these countries.

After the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, the Council of the EU imposed sanctions on the Russian television channels RT, Sputnik, Rossiya RTR/RTR Planeta, Rossiya-24, TV Center International, NTV/NTV Mir, Rossiya-1, REN TV, and Channel One.