The Verkhovna Rada has passed a new draft law “On the media.”
A total of 299 people’s deputies voted for the relevant draft law No. 2693-d at the plenary session of parliament in Kiev on Tuesday, parliamentarian Yaroslav Zheleznyak (Golos faction) said on his Telegram Channel.
The bill defines the legal framework for the activities of entities in the media sector in Ukraine, as well as the basis of state administration, regulation and supervision (control) in this area.
In particular, the legislative field introduces the concept of “online media”. Voluntary registration, which guarantees legislative protection, is envisaged for them.
According to the Draft Law, if a registered subject in the sphere of online media commits a gross violation, the regulator applies a fine to it. In case of a second or third gross violation within one month after the application of the fine, the decision on which has not been cancelled in accordance with the procedure established by law, a fine of double the amount is imposed.
There is a ban on the distribution of registered online media by court order – this measure applies in the case of a fourth gross violation within one month, if for the previous similar violations fines were applied, the decisions on which have not been canceled in the prescribed manner by law.
The bill also provides for a temporary ban on the distribution of unregistered online media, which is 14 calendar days. The temporary ban is applied in case of a significant violation, if within one month five fines were applied to the subject for such violations and the decision on them has not been canceled in the manner prescribed by law.
As reported, MPs passed the bill in the first reading on August 30. During the preparation of the document for the second reading MPs submitted 2332 amendments and suggestions.
