Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy
At its meeting on June 19, the body reviewed amendments to the law of Ukraine “On the procedure for mass media coverage of activities of Ukraine’s public and local authorities” (bill No.10241).
The draft law is aimed at empowering the state and local authorities to publish their regulations in print media determined by these bodies.
The committee recommends that the parliament send the bill for revision.
The committeemen also considered the draft law No.10336 "On amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine as to criminal liability for advertising of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues".
The purpose of the proposed changes is to combat the advertising of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues through introduction of criminal liability for persons engaged in such misdoing. The guilty of such crimes are proposed to be punished by imprisonment term (five to seven years), whilst repeat offenders - from seven to ten years.
Based on the results of the consideration, the committee is sending its conclusion, before long, to the Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement with a recommendation for the Verkhovna Rada to reject the bill.