March 26, 2025 – The General Court of the European Union ruled on case T-307/22, in which Dutch internet service providers A2B Connect BV, BIT BV, and Freedom Internet BV sought to annul the restrictive measures imposed by the European Union Council on certain Russian media outlets. The measures included a temporary ban on broadcasting specific Russian media channels within EU territory, the suspension of broadcasting licenses, and a temporary ban on advertising products or services through the content of these media outlets.
The applicants aimed to lift the restrictions imposed on media outlets such as Russia Today (RT), Sputnik, Rossiya RTR, Rossiya 24, and TV Centre International. They argued that these decisions lacked a legal basis and violated fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression and access to information.
After reviewing the case and assessing issues related to common foreign and security policy, the Council's competence, the principle of proportionality, and the obligation to provide reasoning for decisions, the General Court dismissed the applicants' complaint and upheld the restrictive measures (sanctions) established by the Council.
In this case, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia supported the European Union Council. The position of Lithuania was represented by officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Culture, as well as Vadim Gasperskij, Head of the Legal Department of the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission.