Factors of political influence on journalistic activities in a post-communist consolidated democracy

The article examines which factors of journalistic activity, journalists’ roles, and attitudes are significant for journalists experiencing political influence in a post-communist consolidated democracy. The analysis is based on data from a representative survey of 302 Lithuanian journalists. The study found that the key factors of political influence on journalism are external informational influences, most often directly related to political entities. Political influences are significantly related to internal organizational factors and procedures that set the boundaries of journalists’ autonomy and can potentially absorb and transform political influences into journalistic activity. The links between journalists’ perceived political influences and the importance of interventionist, collaborative, and monitorial roles were also identified.