The Competition of the Best Radio and Television Broadcasts "Pragiedruliai" ("Rays of Light")
The main objectives of the Competition are to promote the production of programmes and broadcasts of cultural and educational content and financially motivate the most creative journalists of the radio and television of Lithuania. The main goal is to promote the authors and producers who create relevant programmes of lasting and creative value, demonstrate their originality, the impact on building cultural, human, civic and aesthetical values, the professionalism and creativity of their work.
In performing one of its main functions – to regulate and supervise audio-visual content – the Radio and Television Commission of Lithuania pays a lot of attention to the quality of the content of radio and television programmes. When issuing licences the Commission gives priority to programmes that offer more educational and cultural content. With the aim of promoting the quality of radio and television production, nominating and rewarding authors and producers of the best broadcasts, the Commission annually organises a competition of the best radio and television broadcasts of the past year, entitled ‘Pragiedruliai’ (Rays of Light). The Commission seeks that the competition of the best broadcasts become a prestigious and significant event of culture aimed at awarding the authors and producers of broadcasts to motivate them to produce more quality broadcasts reflecting the realities of society.
This significant initiative of the Commission also contributes to the implementation of the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive and the Law on the Provision of Information to the Public providing for an increase in the amount of European films and audio-visual content. TV viewers have a possibility to watch a live broadcast of the award ceremony of the best programmes on the national television channel LRT KULTŪRA. The implementation of this measure is widely covered in the media. The number of contenders for the best broadcast and programme award is growing every year. The title of the best broadcast award winner of ‘Pragiedruliai’ is regarded as an honourable recognition of quality journalism.
The implementation of the measure contributed to the improvement of the quality of the cultural and education media.
From 2012 to 2015 90 000 EUR was allocated for the implementation of this measure.