Ukraine’s National Council for Television and Radio is considering a further court appeal to prohibit the retransmission of some Russian channels in the country.
Speaking in a press briefing, the Council’s chairman Vladimir Manzhosov said this was due to numerous complaints from citizens about the content of transmissions from the channels.
He added that ongoing proceedings to ban four channels – First Channel, Vsemyrnaya Network; RTR Planeta; Rossiya 24; and NTV Mir – are taking place in the Kiev District Administrative Court.
Furthermore, all programme service providers, with the exception of those in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, are respecting relevant court decisions.
Manzhosov added that a number of other Russian channels, containing false and hostile information, are also being monitored.
Meanwhile, Larisa Mudrak, the Council’s deputy head, revealed that Ukraine sent an official letter to the European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (EPRA) no more than 20 days ago requesting a review of Russian channels broadcast on French satellites.
The Council hopes to shortly receive a response from the French regulator and it (the Council) will have the opportunity to take further steps against the Russian channels.
However, she also said it is important for European media environment to avoid steps amounting to censorship.
At the same time, it was important to ensure viewers were receiving the correct information, adding that the next step would be to amend existing legislation relating to categories and definitions.