Media of Ukraine

The mass media in Ukraine refers to mass media outlets based in Ukraine. Television, magazines, and newspapers are all operated by both state-owned and for-profit corporations which depend on advertising, subscription, and other sales-related revenues. The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees freedom of speech. As a country in transition, Ukraine's media system is under transformation.

Legislative framework

The Ukrainian legal framework on media freedom is deemed "among the most progressive in eastern Europe", although implementation has been uneven. Freedom House
Ukraine 2015 Freedom of the Press
report The constitution and laws provide for freedom of speech and press. However, the government does not always respect these rights in practice."Ukraine"
''Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012'', Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, U.S. Department of State, 15 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2014.

The 1996 Constitution of Ukraine and a 1991 law On information provide for freedom of speech and free development of media in Ukraine.1999 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine
US Department of State (February 23, 2000)

The Constitution of Ukraine lists the Ukrainian language as the official one, and the law compels media outlets to use it. Nevertheless, most media publications in Ukraine are in Russian language. Electronic media (TV and radio), which are government-licensed, are mostly in Ukrainian, while print newspapers, which only require a formal registration, are published in Russian.Oleh Rozvadovskyy
Ukraine #National Media Policies
EJC Media Landscapes, circa 2010 Online media in Ukraine is not regulated.

The main pieces of Ukrainian Media Legislation are:
*Law on Information since 1992 (2011 - new edition), No. 2657-XII
*Law on Access to public information since 2011, No. 2939-VI
*Law on Personal data protection since 2011, No. 2297-VI
*Law on Printed Media (Press) in Ukraine since 1992, No. 2782-XII
*Law on Reforming of the state and municipal print press since 2015, No. 917-VIII
*Law on Television and Radio since 1993 (2006 - new edition), No. 3759-XII
*Law on Public TV and radio of Ukraine since 2014 (with 2015 major amendments), No. 1227-VII
*Law on the National Television and Broadcasting Council of Ukraine since 1997, No. 538/97-ВР
*Law on Filmmaking since 1998, No. 9/98-ВР
*On State Support of Mass Media and Social Protection of Journalists since 1997, No. 540/97-ВР
*On the Procedure for Covering Activities of Bodies of State Power and Local Self-Government by Mass Media in Ukraine since 1997, No. 539/97-ВР
*Law on Public Morality Security since 2003, No. 1296-IV
*Law on the Ratification of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television since 2008, No. 687-VI
*Law on State Support of Publishing Business in Ukraine since 2003, No. 601-IV

In 2001 Ukraine decriminalised libel, which is considered a civil offence, and the law limits the amount of damages that may be claimed in libel lawsuits. Since 2009, judges have been required to follow ECHR standards on civil libel standards, distinguishing between facts and value judgement, and affording lower levels of protection to public officials. Yet, the use of libel lawsuits by politicians and officials to deter critical reporting has continued. The press can publish critical materials and opinions without penalty, and public officials enjoy fewer legal protections from criticism than other citizens. However, local media observers express concern over high monetary damages that at times were demanded and awarded for alleged libel.

The constitution prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, however in the past authorities have been reported as only selectively respecting these prohibitions.

The Law on Protection of Public Morals of 20 November 2003, prohibits the production and circulation of pornography; dissemination of products that propagandise war or spread national and religious intolerance; humiliation or insult to an individual or nation on the grounds of nationality, religion, or ignorance; and the propagation of "drug addition, toxicology, alcoholism, smoking and other bad habits.""ONI Country Profile: Ukraine"
OpenNet Initiative, 21 December 2010

Draconian laws were passed in mid January 2014 during the Euromaidan demonstrations by the Yanukovych administration that seriously restricted freedom of expression and freedom of the media. They were repealed on 28 January 2014.

In early March 2014, Crimea removed Ukraine-based TV channels ahead of its Russian annexation referendum. Later that month, the Ukrainian National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting ordered measures against some Russian TV channels which were accused of broadcasting misleading information about Ukraine.

In February 2015, the law "On protection information television and radio space of Ukraine," banned the showing (on Ukrainian television and in cinemas) of "audiovisual works" that contain "popularization, propaganda, propaganda, any action of law enforcement agencies, armed forces, other military, military or security forces of an invader" was enacted.
One year later Russian productions (on Ukrainian television) had decreased by 3 to 4 (times). 15 more Russian TV channels were banned in March 2016.

Status and self-regulation of journalists

Regulatory authorities

The main regulatory authority for the broadcast media is the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine (NTRBCU), tasked with licensing media outlets and ensure their compliance with the law. Its members are appointed by the President and the Parliament (4 members each)- thought the appointment process has been criticised as politicised.

75 percent of broadcasts should be in the Ukrainian language, in order for a broadcast media to obtain a license - although this has given rise to protests by broadcasters who buy most of their programming from Russia and the combined CIS area. The regulation is often complied with only formally, by adding Ukrainian subtitles to Russian-language kids programmes or cartoons. The Council has often been in conflict with Russia-based TV channels broadcasting cross-border in Ukraine, as they are deemed in breach of Ukrainian legislation on language, advertisement, and erotic and violent contents.
Following the Euromaidan, the new ruling coalition declared no confidence in the leadership of the broadcasting regulator, seen as politicised. New members of the Council were appointed in July 2014 in a more independent fashion.

The ''State Committee of Ukraine on TV and radio broadcasting'' is the formal owner of the UA:PBC public broadcasting company. In 2018 this body mainly responsible on pravatisation of the state print press, banning foreign books, which spread hate speech, justifies a Russian aggression etc. State Committee is noted in Constitution, which is a reason why it˙s still present.

The ''Ombudsman of Ukraine'' is a body responsible for protection freedom of information and personal data protection.

The Parliament Committee on freedom of speech and information policy is tasked with legislation.

The ''National Expert Commission of Ukraine on the Protection of Public Morality'', established by the government in 2004, was an advising body to examine the media and detect sexual and violent contents. It was dismissed in 2015. The Commission had been accused of limiting media freedom and of trying to control "morals" in the online blogosphere.

Media outlets

Kyiv dominates the media industry and television and radio are largely based there, although Lviv is also a significant national media centre. Most Ukrainian media outlets have private owners. Local governments also own local TV and radio stations. Until 2014 the state still controlled a TV channel (First National) and a radio station (National Radio Company of Ukraine), with only marginal market shares. In 2020, the BBC
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