O.Kondratiuk calls on all media pros to enter into ample debates on Zelenskyi’s disputable media initiative

Information Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Secretariat
11 November 2019, 14:30

"In Ukraine, there is a very subtle line between protecting the right of citizens to information and an assault on freedom of expression," -- Olena Kondratiuk

Olena Kondratiuk, the vice-speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, called on the relevant parliamentary committees to initiate a holistic dialogue with the media community on legislative regulation of mass media activities.

During today’s sitting of the Conciliation Commission, she drew attention to serious concerns of the media tribe and journalists with regard to the latest media initiatives undertaken by Ukrainian authorities.

“It is all about the president's instruction given to the government binding it to elaborate by the year end a very specific bill regulating media activities in Ukraine - in particular, to frame out news standards in pursuance of the fight against fake reports,” O. Kondratiuk emphasized.

Similar concerns, as she said, were prompted by proposals to impose responsibility for the dissemination of manipulative information and to mete out sanctions upon gain-less mass media. The vice-speaker of parliament called for a very careful consideration of such proposals.

She also reminded the audience that the parliament should by November 23 put forward three nominees for the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine.