"The author describes how the function of Lithuanian media has changed in different historical phases - due to changing political, economic and cultural conditions. The aim is to show how innovations, e.g. technological innovations, new media structures or cultural patterns, entered Lithuanian media and at the same time linked them to the changes that took place on the international level. It will be shown how Lithuanian journalism has formed its specifics to meet numerous changes in the national environment. The contemporary Lithuanian media situation is measured against the normative ideal of democratization and a journalistic culture is described that has survived in the historical development of media as institutions within specific social millieus. The overview follows a comparative approach based on the idea that a national perspective is too narrow. Therefore, the development of Lithuanian media is partly compared, partly contrasted with the changes that have occurred in relations with neighboring countries, especially Latvia and Estonia. The main task is to describe the peculiarities - with the aim not to comment on them, but to understand them." (Publisher description)