United Nations: Restrictions of Russian TV channels broadcasts at Ukraine contradicts international law

Restrictions introduced by Kiev authorities regarding broadcasts in the Russian language contradict the international law in the part of information access freedom. Special reporter on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye has made this statement, IA Novosti reports.

In his opinion, Ukraine should not take any new actions towards banning or restricting mass media work. From the legal point of view in the sphere of human rights, everybody has a right for ideas and information of any kind regardless of its plausibility, UN representative has remarked.

Note that the law about quota for Russian language in mass communications has come into effect at Ukraine. Three quarters of TV programmes and movies should be broadcasted in the state language.

The quota of 75 percent is set on the state level. For regional TV channels, the quota is fifty percent. This law was drafted for approval of the Verkhovna Rada by the Ukrainian President. He has decided that there is too much of the Russian language on the state television.

As the Russkiy Mir Foundation reported earlier, last November the law came into force stating that 35 percent of songs on air of radio stations should be performed in the state language only.

Russkiy Mir