2025-11-11
The procurement of programmes, their creation, and production from a single supplier, as well as their non-compliance with legal requirements, are among the most important issues that LRT needs to address. This is evident from the audit conducted by the National Audit Office, Activities of Lithuanian National Radio and Television.
“Having identified non-compliances with legal requirements in all of the selected procurements for the programmes, their creation and production, we conclude that procurement is one of the key challenges to the efficiency and transparency of the institution's activities. It is no coincidence that we have also identified shortcomings in the internal control system. These require the special attention of LRT management, as it is their responsibility to create an effective internal control mechanism. Our audit results show a clear need to strengthen compliance with the principles of transparency, equality, and economy, as well as competition in procurement," said Auditor General Irena Segalovičienė.
As a contracting authority, LRT conduct two types of procurement: public procurement, carried out in accordance with the Law on Public Procurement, and procurement of programmes, their creation and production, which is organised in accordance with the Description of the Procedure for the Procurement of Radio and Audiovisual Media Programmes, their Creation, Production and Broadcasting Time.
As the audit shows, non-compliances with legal requirements were found in all 12 (out of 12 assessed) procurements for programmes, their creation and production amounting to EUR 20.9 million. For example, a winner was selected who did not meet the procurement conditions, suppliers' bids were unjustifiably rejected after expert evaluation, the fulfilment of the contract conditions was not fully ensured, etc.
Furthermore, in 2024, as many as 89% (516 out of 578) of procurements for the programmes and their creation, with a financial value of EUR 12.74 million, or 53% of the total procurement amount, were conducted by way of an unannounced survey, i.e. by contracting a specific supplier. This lack of competition may increase the prices of goods, services, or works acquired and reduce opportunities for the more economical use of public funds.
In addition to programme procurement, in four (out of 12) public procurement cases assessed, worth EUR 3.74 million, the audit also identified non-compliances with legislation, e.g. restriction of competition, persons participating in procurement had not declared their private interests to the Chief Official Ethics Commission, etc.
The auditors note that it is necessary to revise the procedures for the organisation and internal control of LRT procurement. Shortcomings were identified in cases where procurement procedures were performed by specialists whose job descriptions did not include performing, initiating, or organizing procurement, participating in procurement committees, or having knowledge of procurement legislation. There is also no approved procedure describing the review of procurement activities and results for programmes, their creation and production, and the control of programme procurement is insufficient.
Moreover, it was established that the Procurement and Investment Policy Committee of the LRT Council did not assess the transparency and efficiency of procurement processes and does not have the necessary criteria for doing so.
In order to ensure that the procurement of programmes, their creation and production is conducted in a transparent and economical manner, the National Audit Office recommended that the LRT administration strengthen internal control over the organisation of procurement, ensuring that any identified non-compliances are corrected and do not recur in the future. The LRT Council should establish criteria for the committee to assess the transparency and efficiency of the procurement process and the frequency of such assessments. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania should revise the Description of the Procedure for the Procurement of Programmes approved by its resolution and decide on the appointment of an agency or institution to supervise the procurement of programmes and provide methodological advice.
Today (November 11), the audit results will be presented at the plenary session of the Seimas at 2:30 p.m.
Audit report: Activities of Lithuanian National Radio and Television