On 10 December 2025, the Regional Administrative Court dismissed the appeal filed by UAB Goruva and upheld Decision No. KS-61 of 6 March 2024 adopted by the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania (RTCL).

The decision imposed a fine of €1,900 on the company for disseminating disinformation.

The ruling once again confirms that the Commission’s measures to limit the spread of disinformation are lawful, justified, and effective, even when challenged in court.

Disinformation Identified in a YouTube Broadcast

The case concerned a programme titled “What is the Ukrainian leadership’s Plan B? And what does the Maginot Line mean?”, published on the Komentaras TV YouTube channel on 30 January 2024.

Following monitoring conducted on 31 January–1 February 2024, the LRTK determined that during the segment aired from 01:20:50 to 01:28:53, information meeting the legal definition of disinformation under the Law on Public Information was disseminated.

False Claims About Aid to Ukraine

During the broadcast, the host and guest claimed that Jonas Ohmanas, founder of the public institution Mėlyna ir geltona, allegedly paid USD 5,300 per night for accommodation at the Khan Chinan Hotel in Dnipro.

Based on this claim, the programme constructed a narrative suggesting non-transparent use of aid to Ukraine, referring to “millions” being spent and implying that “a considerable amount of money may have been stolen.”

It was also suggested that there may be an interest in continuing the war “as long as money can be made.”

Verified Evidence Contradicted the Allegations

To assess the situation objectively, the RTCL contacted the public institution Mėlyna ir geltona as a third interested party.

The organisation provided documents confirming that the actual payment was 5,300 Ukrainian hryvnias (approximately €129) and that the amount shown in US dollars resulted from a technical currency error.

This was also supported by the fiscal receipt attached to the invoice.

Commission Found Intentional Dissemination of False Information

After reviewing the evidence, the RTCL concluded that the programme’s host, despite having access to the correct documents:

• deliberately ignored the actual amount and currency,
• failed to verify the information through additional sources,
• and did not provide Mėlyna ir geltona with an opportunity to respond.

The Commission also noted the programme’s significant reach: the Komentaras TV channel has approximately 47,400 subscribers, and the broadcast had received more than 56,000 views, increasing the harmful impact of the misinformation.

Court: All Elements of Disinformation Were Present

The Regional Administrative Court agreed with the RTCL’s assessment that the content met all legal characteristics of disinformation, as:

• the disputed statements were disseminated publicly,
• the applicant failed to prove their accuracy,
• and the host’s failure to check clearly contradictory documents, verify hotel prices, or contact the organisation concerned constituted intentional dissemination of false information.

The court emphasized that such content creates a misleading impression that aid to Ukraine is collected and used non-transparently, undermines trust in charitable organisations, and discourages donations.

In the current geopolitical context, this is particularly dangerous.

Fine Found Proportionate and Lawful

The court found that the Commission’s decision complied with the Law on Public Information and the Law on Public Administration, and was properly reasoned and proportionate.

The fine imposed — 3% of UAB Goruva’s 2023 sales revenue (€1,900) — did not exceed the legal limits and corresponded to the seriousness of the violation.

The court also ordered UAB Goruva to pay €3,180.88 in legal costs to the third interested party, Mėlyna ir geltona.

Appeal Possibility

The ruling may be appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court of Lithuania within 30 calendar days from its publication, by filing an appeal through the Regional Administrative Court.