The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has adopted the Law “On Media” in its second reading and as a whole.
The country’s regulator National Council notes this represents the implementation of the clause on the harmonisation of domestic audiovisual legislation with the European one, and this is one of the seven requirements for Ukraine in connection with its acquisition of the status of a candidate country for joining the European Union. This law was developed taking into account the requirements of the European Directive on audiovisual media services, as well as the standards of the Council of Europe.
It adds that Olha Gerasimyuk, the head of the National Council, and other members of the media regulator consistently supported the legislative initiative and constantly emphasised the importance of adopting the document.
The law is designed to:
• create equal opportunities/conditions for activities of all types of media in the market;
• take into account the new level of technological development in the field of media;
• to combine the powers of supervision over the activities of various types of media in one regulator;
• strengthen the protection of the country’s information field.
It will replace several outdated laws, namely “On Television and Radio Broadcasting”, “On the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting”, “On Printed Media (Press) in Ukraine”, “On Information Agencies”, ” On the procedure for covering the activities of state authorities and local self-government bodies in Ukraine by mass media”, “On the protection of public morals”.
In addition, various legislative acts are being amended to align terminology and other aspects with the new media law. According to the Transitional Provisions, the Law “On Media” enters into force three months after its publication. At the same time, separate deadlines are defined for certain provisions.
The new law now has to be signed by President Zelensky.
