The Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTK), in collaboration with the Media Support Fund (MRF), is launching the “Vertė” project, which will evaluate the content of educational journalism and cultural projects funded by the MRF in 2025.

The project is being implemented through cooperation between the LRTK and the MRF. Fifty MRF-funded projects spanning television, radio, and online formats have been selected for evaluation. These projects explore various topics of public importance—history, culture, science, citizenship, media literacy, resilience to disinformation, social issues, and other relevant topics.

“In the public sphere, we often discuss media funding models, the levels of support, or the challenges facing the sector, but we rarely engage in a systematic discussion of the content itself. The ‘Vertė’ project provides an opportunity to assess how state-funded projects were implemented, how professionally and thoroughly the selected topics were explored, and what value the created content brings to the audience,” says Mantas Martišius, Chairman of the LRTK.

The project aims not only to highlight the best works but also to encourage a broader discussion about quality journalism, its impact on the audience, and its role in the public sphere. The programs will be evaluated by LRTK members—experts who will analyze them according to pre-established criteria: the relevance of the topic, the depth of analysis, the host’s ability to develop the topic, the quality of content presentation, and the soundness of sources and perspectives.

According to Ruslanas Iržikevičius, director of the Media Support Fund, the “Vertė” project offers an opportunity to supplement the evaluation of state-funded projects with professional insights and to highlight the highest-quality works.

 “For three decades now, state support has helped bring about journalistic and cultural content that is significant to society. This project allows us to take another look at the works produced, assess their quality, and highlight the projects that best demonstrate the potential of professional journalism,” says R. Iržikevičius.

The evaluation will take place throughout the summer. LRTK members will individually review and evaluate the selected projects, and the competition winners will be announced by early September. The LRTK has a unique opportunity to conduct such an evaluation because its members work on a daily basis with issues related to public information, audiovisual media, and media policy.

The “Vertė” project will select the best audiovisual program, the best radio program, and the best program host. Special nominations from the head of the Media Support Fund and the chair of the LRTK will also be awarded.

The winners will be announced and honored on September 29 at the Media Support Fund conference in Vilnius. This year’s event will mark the 30th anniversary of state support for the media.

The conference is expected to feature discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on the media, the VIRSIS information system and its significance for journalism, the future of print subscriptions, the role of the media during crises, and models of support from the public and private sectors.