Ukraine

[UA] Bill Amending the Broadcasting Act

IRIS 1995-10:1/16

Andrea Schneider

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

On 26 April 1995, the Supreme Council of the Ukraine put forward a Bill that amends and adds to the law on radio and television broadcasting of 21 December 1993. The Bill provides for new regulations relating to two new organisations, the Ukrainian Radio and Television National Council and the Ukrainian State Audiovisual Committee. The Bill also gives wider powers to the National Audiovisual Council and introduces provisions for the Ukrainian Radio and Television National Council, set up by Presidential decree on 3 January 1995 (IRIS 1995-2:8).

According to the Bill, the President of the Ukraine, working closely with the Ukraine Supreme Council, lays down the main policy features for public audiovisual and sets up the legal basis for its application. The Bill aims to put tighter restrictions on the formation of monopolies in the electronic media sector and to limit foreign shareholdings to 30% of broadcasting companies' capital.

Advertising, with the exception of special advertising channels, will be restricted to a 15% of programme time (it is currently 10%). Advertising breaks will only be allowed every 45 minutes (instead of 30) : they will not be allowed during programmes of under 45 minutes, or during films.