Ukraine

[UA] Law Supports Mass Media and Protects Journalists

IRIS 1998-8:1/20

Andrei Richter

Comenius University (Bratislava)

The Law of the Ukraine On State Support for the Mass Media and Social Protection of Journalists, adopted by the Supreme Rada (parliament) and signed by the President of Ukraine on 23 September 1997, entered into force on 1 January 1998.

Since then all forms of governmental subsidies, economic support for the mass media and social protection of the journalists in Ukraine are regulated by this law, which consists of five chapters and 21 article. According to the statute the government provides economic privileges to all mass media except for (1) erotic (pornographic) publications and programs, (2) publications with more than 40 percent of advertising in a single issue or a broadcast station with more than 15 percent of commercials in a day's programming, (3) all mass media with more than 50 percent of its content taken from foreign mass media, (4) mass media established by international organisations or with participation of foreign entities, (5) mass media established by companies that also deal in newsprint production, publishing, or broadcast communication (Art. 2). The statute introduces all sorts of tax, customs duty, tariffs, rent and other reliefs for the mass media organisations similar to those enjoyed by non-commercial entities. The national budget shall have a provision with the sum allocated specifically for the support of the mass media (Art. 4).

The statute prohibits privatisation of the mass media organisations if they "are recognised by the Supreme Rada as leading in the sphere of informational activity" or if thay are of "supranational importance" (Art. 11). The statute introduces a number of social privileges for journalists like free use of municipal transportation or free rent, heating and power supply of the dwellings in the countryside area (Art. 18).