Media4Change is an international movement that examine problems that are outside of the media agenda. We monitor the portrayal of the most stigmatized groups in society and aim to make good global practices a source of inspiration for decision-makers and other members of the movement. We keep the issues of human rights, investigative journalism, and media literacy on our radar.

Today, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) and partner organisations have written to Director Raimondas Andrijauskas and Deputy Director Danguolė Morkūnienė of the Lithuanian State Data Protection Inspectorate (SDPI)’s to express concern at their attempted obstruction of investigative project “Karštos Pėdos” (“Hot Feet”)’s journalistic activity.

Data guards threaten the journalist project “Hot Feet” with fines.
Under the pretext of personal data, relying on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is becoming an antonym for transparency, the State Data Protection Inspectorate (SDPI) continues to obstruct journalists in fulfilling their duty to protect the public interest and the public’s right to know. Now its target is the journalistic project “Hot Feet”.

In light of the Omicron COVID-19 variant outbreak in Lithuania and in the region, the Mediathon, an international training for the journalists, is postponed to the end of March. The organizers’ main concern is to guarantee the health of all participants and ensure a high level of attendance of journalists from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Latvia.

The Future Stories Award celebrates and recognises the achievements of investigative journalism, those that have just revealed something new and unnoticed or already shook things up. Looking for outstanding investigative works in several categories, the Future Stories Award is a unique opportunity for Lithuanian and Slovak journalists working in this field and focusing on the local stories of important but often less visible topics.

Are you looking for inspiration for 2022 investigations? Join Mediathlon training event in Lithuania which is an opportunity to celebrate investigative journalism, improve data analysis skills and expand your professional network.