During the period of April – May 2020 we continued to monitor following Lithuanian mainstream news websites 15min.lt, Delfi.lt, Lrytas.lt, Delfi.ru, Alfa.lt, and the fringe news website ekspertai.eu. News websites published in total 13814 articles, which generated 81610[1] comments.
Quantitative data: number of articles, comments, other. April – May 2020
| Media | number_of_articles | number_of_comments | number_of_ips |
| Delfi.lt | 3552 | 0 (cannot crawl comments) | 0 (cannot crawl comments) |
| 15min | 4280 | 8681 | 3834 |
| lrytas | 2849 | 65045 | 1 |
| Ru.Delfi | 1516 | 0 (cannot crawl comments) | 0 (cannot crawl comments) |
| Alfa | 1140 | 0 | 0 |
| ekspertai | 477 | 7884 | 1748 |
| Total | 13 814 | 81 610 | 5583 |
Compare to the previous period: February – March 2020
| Media outlet/Website | Number_of_Articles | Number_of_Comments | number_of_ips |
| Delfi.lt | 3409 | 0 (cannot crawl comments) | 0 (cannot crawl comments) |
| 15min.lt | 3955 | 11444 | 4929 |
| Lrytas.lt | 3000 | 75527 | 1 |
| Ru. Delfi | 1532 | 0 (cannot crawl comments) | 0 (cannot crawl comments) |
| Alfa.lt | 1200 | 0 | 0 |
| Ekspertai.eu | 479 | 8939 | 1678 |
| Total | 13575 | 95910 | 6608 |
Number of Articles and Comments during April – May
April 2020
May 2020
Note.
Delfi.lt is the largest news website in Lithuania by the number of unique users and the time spent on the website, and generating comments. However, due to the changed structure of Delfi.lt website we still are not able to crawl the comments of the website.
The quantitative trend of articles, comments and IPs remain unchanged: articles published in/by Delfi.lt receives the largest amount of comments according to Delfi (although we do not have the possibility to check this information as Delfi does not share this figure). On the other hand, 15min.lt published the largest number of articles. It should be noted, that the Lithuanian public who looks for the quality information, appreciate 15min.lt website more than the media market leader Delfi, as 15min is of a higher quality media website and quality reports, articles proportionality make the bigger part, with less a click-bite material or misleading headlines (differently from Delfi.lt or Lrytas.lt.) In addition, 15min.lt has a strong investigative journalism section significantly contributing to the media quality. The website 15min is preferred by intellectual readers of Lithuania.
During the monitoring period 15min.lt received eight times fewer comments than Lrytas.lt, which is the 3rd by the number of unique/real users and share of time spent on the website (see data at the end of the report). 15min website has the policy of commentators’ registration. The policy ensures the quality of comments and impedes readers from spamming.
According to the data available, Lrytas.lt website is the second by number of comments generated during the period, although according to the number of articles, it is in the third position.
During the period of monitoring all comments are texts (written), no visuals, emoji’s or audio-videos.
The monitored period covers the Covid 19 lockdown. As one could expect, prevailing majority of articles are about the news related to the Covid 19.
Topics and themes of comments, April – May
I. During the monitored period the topic (article) that generated the largest number of comments (937) was the death of the policeman who was shot down during his encounter with an drunken aggressive person in the rural area. The policeman came the house after they received a call for help from the aggressor’s wife, and the policemen was gun down. The comments about the tragedy concentrated on two themes: (i) the policemen’s working conditions, quality of equipment and the security of policemen; also the shortcomings of administrative procedures within the police structures. (ii) the consequences of the Covid 19 lockdown – the social exclusion and moral panic among socially deprived/underprivileged families, households in the geographically remote areas of Lithuania. Social exclusion became even deeper/sharper during the lockdown period, and yielded/opened social problems in the society. The state is/was not ready to handle the issues among the society, making the social exclusion experience even worse, and causing the moral panic.
The moral panic issue is extremely topical and urgent among the regional and rural population, especially in the geographically remote areas of Lithuania. As the self-isolation and quarantine in Lithuania continued for almost seven weeks, people in rural areas may feel marginalized, with no jobs and income, and socially excluded.
The Lithuanian population in regions and especially in rural areas experience social exclusion in general, which grows even higher combined with the moral panic during the COVID-19 crisis. The information environment was full of news about the shortage of medical equipment, the growing number of infected medical staff, doctors infecting patients and mismanagement in the health care sector. In addition, the news coverage on slowing down businesses and people losing their jobs and income, that the country has to borrow huge sums to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, un cooperation of NATO and other EU member states, the US not showing solidarity with Europe, etc. These topics circulated among comments as well.
The living conditions, social status, loss of any income, dominance of news reporting about problems create the impression of insecurity and absence of any positive future, possibility to solve difficulties – the society becomes even more vulnerable to disinformation and manipulation.
II. Covid 19 topic dominated the news flow and comments circled around the lockdown rules, whether they are justified, or whether everyone can afford to keep to the rules; loss of income, business failures; restriction in travelling, wearing masks as well the time when the lockdown could be eased. Some comments were focused on arguing with other commentators without much of the substance.
III. WWII , Victory Day celebration.
The news about Russia postponing Victory Day (May 9) celebration provoked a discussion about Lithuania’s past, and Lithuanians collaborating with Nazis and later with the Soviets. Commentators argued, that Lithuanians are collaborators and traitors.
Another theme that circulated in comments was that Russia liberated Lithuania from Nazis, and that the West (USA, UK) did not bother about Lithuania, they were preoccupied liberating France and other West European countries.
One more topic was about the removal of the monument of Marshal Konev from Prague. It raised the WWII topic that Russia liberated Lithuania and Europe from Nazis.
Commentators carried out an extensive discussion about the WWII Eastern frontline. Few commentators told stories about Russian soldiers’ cruel behavior with civilians. Other disputed the reason of Nazis Germany being defeated on the Eastern flank/frontline.
The tone of comments was prevailingly peaceful, the language polite and of good quality (style and grammar), exchange of thoughts were not aggressive (except very few), except with few cases when commentators just cursed; were very rude.
IV. Worth noting that disinformation topics and stories that circulated in social media (malign accounts) were not identified/found among comments of the mainstream media.
Disinformation and conspiracies have been more rampant online, especially in Facebook groups where many COVID 19 related groups are overrun with disinformation.
A lot of problematic content was originating from Russia and were more intensive in social media.
There are local actors, conspiracy supporters, alternative medicine peddlers, also a few local fringe politicians, who were translating and disseminating this problematic content in Lithuania in social media.
Following malign themes and topics circulated:
- COVID-19 is an artificially created virus;
- COVID-19 virus does not exist and is simply the easiest way for the authorities to purposefully intimidate the population;
- COVID-19 virus was funded by pharmaceutical companies, backed by former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, who seeks to profit from mass vaccination and human „chipping.“
- COVID-19 is the Deep State incited pandemic
Other hostile topics:
- EU is dysfunctioning;
- NATO is useless and not to be trusted; In addition, NATO troops in Lithuania spread COVID19
- Western sanctions should be suspended because of the COVID19;
- Baltics economies are going to collapse;
- China is not responsible for the spread of COVID19.
- COVID1 will make Baltic economies turn back to Russia and invite China;
- Baltics quarrel with their allies (reference of Poland closing their border and blocking the road to Lithuania)
Top 30 most commented articles in April – May
Note. Titles of articles are quoted in Lithuanian
| Article Title | media | number_of_comments | published_date |
| Mažeikių r. pareigūnai pasitikti šūvių kruša: nušautas policininkas, jo porininkė sužeista | lrytas | 937 | 2020-05-29T10:44:00.000+03:00 |
| Lietuvoje per parą užfiksavo net 90 naujų atvejų, 52 iš jų – Nemenčinėje | lrytas | 654 | 2020-04-18T09:10:00.000+03:00 |
| D. Bunkus apie skyrybas su V. Siegel: „Ji pasirinko turėti santykius su mano artimiausiu draugu“ | lrytas | 643 | 2020-06-03T09:32:00.000+03:00 |
| G. Nausėda: pikčiausias mūsų priešas yra ne karūnuotasis virusas | lrytas | 551 | 2020-04-12T08:30:00.000+03:00 |
| Verslininkė Inga Stumbrienė atskleidė dailių kojų receptą | lrytas | 546 | 2020-05-10T11:19:10.000+03:00 |
| Seimas sprendžia dėl 200 eurų išmokos: kaltinimai korupcija ir neveiksmingumu | lrytas | 540 | 2020-05-07T11:03:00.000+03:00 |
| Lietuvoje – 34 koronaviruso auka | lrytas | 451 | 2020-04-19T09:20:00.000+03:00 |
| Jauna moteris skundžiasi, kad buvo nubausta miške dėl kaukės – policija turi paaiškinimą | lrytas | 450 | 2020-04-27T11:53:00.000+03:00 |
| Turtuolio R. Karpavičiaus palikimo drama: kokią paslaptį žinojo jo pusbrolis, miręs nuo koronaviruso? | lrytas | 416 | 2020-05-10T07:52:00.000+03:00 |
| Koronavirusą iš slidinėjimo parsivežęs garsus Vilniaus medikas: „Po kelionės juokai baigėsi“ | lrytas | 410 | 2020-04-10T21:29:00.000+03:00 |
| Prokuratūra apie sulaikymą: žala galėjo būti padaryta visai valstybei, padidėti mokestinė prievolė visiems piliečiams | lrytas | 409 | 2020-06-02T10:32:00.000+03:00 |
| Naikintuvams skrodžiant dangų V. Putinas kreipėsi į žmones: „Milijonai nepamatė savo pergalės svajonės“ | lrytas | 399 | 2020-05-09T09:48:00.000+03:00 |
| Po aštraus L. Andriulio pareiškimo medikams – A. Tapino ir kitų žinomų žmonių kirtis jam | lrytas | 389 | 2020-04-09T11:33:00.000+03:00 |
| Apie karantino pratęsimą užsiminęs S. Skvernelis: parengta strategija, kaip gyvensime artimiausius kelerius metus | lrytas | 361 | 2020-05-05T10:11:00.000+03:00 |
| Paaiškino, kaip dvi visuomenės grupės gyvens dar pora metų po karantino: kasdienybė pasikeis neišvengiamai | lrytas | 358 | 2020-05-07T10:59:00.000+03:00 |
| Vyriausybė spręs dėl naujų karantino švelninimų: keistųsi kaukių dėvėjimo sąlygos ir restoranų bei mokyklų veikla | lrytas | 349 | 2020-05-13T11:25:00.000+03:00 |
| Prokuratūra kreipėsi į teismą dėl V. Sutkaus suėmimo, M. Zalatorius paleistas į laisvę | lrytas | 333 | 2020-06-03T09:55:00.000+03:00 |
| Dvigubą išdavystę patyręs D. Bunkus: „Maldavau jos neišeiti, negriauti visko, ką sukūrėm per 4 metus“ | lrytas | 325 | 2020-06-05T08:43:00.000+03:00 |
| Policija tikrina įvažiuojančius: neįleisti į Vilnių keliavo pavalgyti ir aplankyti mamos, kiti – apsisuko patys | lrytas | 318 | 2020-04-10T19:59:00.000+03:00 |
| Švedijoje gyvenanti lietuvė: „Medikai perorientuoti ne į krizės, o katastrofos režimą“ | lrytas | 317 | 2020-04-17T10:42:00.000+03:00 |
| Vyriausybė siūlo karantiną pratęsti iki balandžio 27 dienos, patekimą į savivaldybes nori riboti nuo penktadienio | lrytas | 302 | 2020-04-08T10:18:00.000+03:00 |
| V. Landsbergis apie Astravą ir Kremlių: „Tai grėsmė ir bausmė tuo pačiu metu“ | lrytas | 302 | 2020-04-29T10:45:00.000+03:00 |
| 23 metais jaunesnė Andriaus Užkalnio mylimoji prabilo apie santykius: „Šimtą kartų sakiau, kad skiriuosi“ | lrytas | 298 | 2020-05-22T11:57:00.000+03:00 |
| Birutė Navickaitė Velykas sutiks be dukters ir be darbo | lrytas | 294 | 2020-04-11T09:36:58.000+03:00 |
| JAV surinko pakankamai įrodymų: Kinija kaltinama tyčia nuslėpus koronaviruso grėsmę | lrytas | 292 | 2020-05-04T11:39:00.000+03:00 |
| Tūkstančiai lietuvių dar ir dabar taip gyvena – su vienodais baldais ir daiktais namuose | lrytas | 278 | 2020-04-25T20:39:00.000+03:00 |
| Šiauliuose nuo koronaviruso miręs vyras pas gydytojus nesilankė 30 metų, skundėsi psichikos sutrikimais | lrytas | 272 | 2020-04-10T10:17:00.000+03:00 |
| Iš Vyriausybės – perspėjimas apsipirkti susiruošusiems vyresnio amžiaus asmenims | lrytas | 265 | 2020-04-20T10:14:00.000+03:00 |
| Policija nustatė vyrą, Vilniaus centre užsipuolusį ir iškeikusį Anušauskų šeimą | lrytas | 256 | 2020-04-28T10:04:00.000+03:00 |
Monitoring of the most reacted (positive/negative) comments
Most reacted comments were related the pulp fiction topic: failing marriage of influencers (she left him and went to live with another man). Also, the comment about the death of the policeman while he was on duty received lot of “likes” and “dislikes”.
The most active IPs during April and May
The tendency remains the same: the most active commentators (IPs) were of the fringe website ekspertai.eu. The most of comments were generated in Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas and Siauliai; two IP addresses are registered in Dublin, Ireland, one IP from Moscow, Russia; See table below. The full list of IPs can be provided upon the request.
| ip_address | number_of_comments | number_of_portals | city | country | portals |
| 78.56.37.190 | 268 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.63.212.238 | 186 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.61.0.42 | 158 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.63.162.242 | 155 | 1 | Panevezys | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.62.207.16 | 140 | 1 | Kaunas | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 87.198.117.55 | 127 | 1 | Dublin | Ireland | ekspertai |
| 188.69.210.73 | 125 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.63.229.198 | 121 | 1 | Kaunas | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.63.201.190 | 114 | 1 | Kaunas | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 84.15.34.15 | 109 | 1 | Kaunas | Republic of Lithuania | 15min |
| 78.56.75.110 | 107 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 37.228.251.228 | 106 | 1 | Dublin | Ireland | ekspertai |
| 188.123.231.64 | 88 | 1 | Moscow | Russia | ekspertai |
| 37.228.254.112 | 83 | 1 | Dublin | Ireland | ekspertai |
| 62.80.225.75 | 82 | 1 | Šiauliai | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 88.223.147.41 | 80 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | 15min |
| 78.58.225.231 | 78 | 1 | Vilnius | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
| 78.62.147.165 | 69 | 1 | Kaunas | Republic of Lithuania | 15min |
| 78.62.55.176 | 68 | 1 | Prienai | Republic of Lithuania | ekspertai |
Miscellaneous
April and May look a little bit different than the first month of quarantine (lockdown), although many people still spend time at home. The main difference is that less news is read, but there is a growing interest in entertainment content. Please compare the internet timeshare spent in the news websites during the current the previous periods.
Internet Time share-Internet 06/06/2020
| 1. Delfi | 24.33% |
| 2. 15min | 11.73% |
| 3. Lrytas | 11.62% |
Source: Lithuania, Gemius S.A.06.06.2020
| Time share-Internet | Real users | Page views | Visits | |
| Internet | 100% | 1 433 217 | 53 203 588 | 9 911 590 |
| Delfi | 29.31% | 916 906 | 11 504 022 | 2 592 090 |
| 15min | 12.52% | 593 122 | 4 776 803 | 1 273 106 |
| Lrytas | 12.12% | 471 671 | 6 331 188 | 1 190 764 |
| TV3 | 5.50% | 401 738 | 1 925 036 | 744 566 |
| LRT | 5.71% | 346 253 | 1 133 959 | 517 63 |
| Lnk.lt | 2.16% | 31 760 | 173 024 | 42 180 |
| Diena.lt | 1.23% | 196 239 | 714 547 | 263 371 |
Source: Lithuania, Gemius S.A.: gemius Audience, 2020-04-02
[1] Number of comments changes as it’s online