TEGOS advised Andrius Balys Tapinas, a prominent Lithuanian journalist and civic leader, and Laisvės TV, an independent media platform, in a high stakes, complex and politically sensitive civil defamation dispute arising from an alleged coordinated disinformation campaign disseminated through mass media channels.
The case is notable for its scale, the number of allegedly defamatory statements, and its intersection with issues of media law, reputational protection, and coordinated online disinformation during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.
The claim, filed on 26 August 2022, relates to more than 63 allegedly defamatory statements disseminated via over 20 video broadcasts on YouTube and television between March and August 2022. The proceedings involved multiple defendants and required detailed evidentiary analysis of audio visual content, context, sources, and intent, including whether statements presented in a satirical or mock journalistic form constituted false factual assertions capable of harming reputation.
The dispute has broader public significance due to the origins of certain allegations in sources identified as unreliable, including a blocked disinformation portal, a convicted libelist, and a platform referenced in national security reports as promoting pro‑Kremlin narratives. The timing of the statements coincided with Laisvės TV’s nationally significant fundraising campaign to support Ukraine’s defence through the acquisition of a Bayraktar drone, raising legal questions regarding the impact of disinformation on public trust, civic engagement, and media accountability.
