Lithuania in "The times"

In 2003 the national British newspaper “The Times” unclosed its digital archive (1785-1985 editions). This archive contains more than four thousand of publications where Lithuania’s name is mentioned. Extensive digital archive offers an opportunity to undertake a study of Lithuania’s representation in “The Times”. The most important Lithuanian historical events were presented in this British newspaper in 1785-1985. More attention was paid to the international relations, meanwhile internal affairs of Lithuania did not catch that much attention. The information sources played a crucial role for the interpretation of Lithuanian events in “The Times”. This newspaper was used as a tool of political communication in order to shape favourable public opinion. Clashes of different interests were revealed in this study. The influence of “The Times” was understood and used by different political powers. During the period of the Polish-Lithuanian Union (1569-1795) Lithuania was not recognised as an equal partner of the confederation. Lithuania was understood as a giant territory of Poland. This perception did not change apparently after Lithuania’s incorporation into the Russian Empire (1795). The better developed communication between Poland and Western Europe could influence this perception. The attitude started to change when Lithuania achieved its independence in 1918. Lithuanian officials and representatives established a direct communication with the Western Europe and little by little Lithuania became acknowledged as a state and as a nation. Its political ambitions were no longer identified with the Polish ones. However, after the annexation of the Soviet Union in 1940, communication channels were closed and information did not circulate freely. “The Times” could not get fresh news about the situation in Lithuania and the portrait of the country was vanishing in this newspaper