The issue of introduction of digital broadcasting in Ukraine was discussed during hearings in the Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information
16 May 2013, 18:26
Participants of the meeting deem the practice of digital terrestrial broadcasting in Ukraine incompatible with the principles of information security of the state; the one contradicting current legislation of Ukraine and threatening fulfillment of Ukraine’s obligations under the international Geneva 2006 Agreement.
Opening hearings, the Committee Chairman Mykola Tomenko noted that implementation of the digital project that affects the interests of every Ukrainian family and is a key factor national security of the state, is an extremely problematic issue, requiring balanced, principled, objective and comprehensive analysis and adequate actions of legislative and executive authorities.
According to information provided in the reports of the head of the State Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting Oleksandr Kurdionovych and the head of National Television and radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine Volodymyr Manzhosov, construction of national digital network of DVB-T-2 (МРЕG–4) standard in digital multiplexes MX-1, MX-2, MX-3 and MX-5 was completed at the end of 2011. The network operates and almost 7 millions of viewers watch it in the digital format of 28 national, 4 regional and local channels.
General Director of provider and operator of digital multiplexes LLC “Zeonbud” Viktor Halych showed participants of hearings slides with photos of transmitting stations equipped with modern German equipment.
The head of the Ukrainian State Center of Radio Frequencies Slobodyanyuk Pavlo stressed that the constructed digital network is a serious achievement, since Ukraine managed to create four multiplexes without switching of the analogous broadcasting.
However, the Chairman of the subcommittee on matters of television and radio broadcasting Mykola Knyazhytskyi noted that “the system of Ukrainian digital broadcasting was built by famous persons and contrary to the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Television and Radio Broadcasting”, particularly article 25.
Having issued licenses to a number of Television and Radio Companies (TRC) that have never broadcasted, the National Council, without any reasons, refused issue licenses to the well-known TV companies like "2+2", "Era", TBi, "Malyatko-TV", "Cіті", "24", "Pershyi dilovyi", " TRC Chornomorska", "ZIK", and "САТ+".
“Such system has practically deprived Ukraine of a basis to develop public TV broadcasting,” believes that Chairman of the subcommittee M.Knyazhytskyi.
Participants of the hearings attached attention to challenges and threats of media being concentrated in the hands of several financial-oligarchy structures.
Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs and Research of the National Technical University “KPI” Mykhailo Ilchenko suggested set up a working group at the Committee to elaborate the algorithm of actions to ensure successful completion of the process of transmission to digital standards.
The people’s deputy Andriy Derkach stood for holding an independent judicial audit of regulatory decisions of the National Council pertaining to digital broadcasting.
Having analyzed the tariff policy of digital multiplexes operator, the Head of the Center for Legislative Initiatives Olha Bolshakova advocated recognition of a provider of digital multiplexes LLC "Zeonbud" a natural monopoly.
Participants of the hearings decided to address the Cabinet of Ministers with a demand to immediately develop the program on completion of Ukraine’s transition to digital standards of broadcasting.
Summing up, the Chairman of the Committee Mykola Tomenko thanked everyone for professional and principled discussion and reassured that the Committee shall generalize suggestions and remarks; approve Recommendations of the hearings and shall address RNBO with a demand to consider the issue of informational safety in connection with introduction of digital broadcasting.