The Verkhovna Rada Humanitarian and Information Policy Committee will recommend that Parliament adopt the media bill in its first reading.

This was reported in the committee’s Telegram channel on Wednesday..

The head of the committee, Nikita Poturaev, on his Facebook page said that the new law "

He also emphasized that quotas for the language and national product do not change, the rights of journalists, foreign media (except media of the aggressor state) and users of social networks, sharing platforms and streaming services are not limited.

" The only innovation is the transfer of all regulatory functions to the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting. Since the regulation in the field of media should be carried out not by an executive body, but by an independent, constitutional and collegial body, "

Bill No. 2693 on media considered in the Verkhovna Rada violates the right to freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This is stated in an appeal circulated on Tuesday, June 30, by media representatives..

According to its authors, the bill contains vague requirements for the media, as well as empowers the authorities to "

The bill provides for the expansion of the powers of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting, the registration of new media in the National Council with the submission of financial documents.

The bill provides for the right of the National Council to fine not only the media for violating the information, advertising, election legislation on the Internet.

It is also possible to cancel the registration of media due to violations or to prevent the National Council from checking. Inspections can also be carried out by law enforcement and fiscal authorities. They will be able to check all the activities of editorial offices, including financial.

According to experts, this restriction of the right to freedom of expression can be used as a censorship tool to limit the expression of political thought, sympathy or antipathy to political forces, politicians, officials.

The appeal is addressed to President Vladimir Zelensky, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Dmitry Razumkov, Heads of Committees and Deputies of the Verkhovna Rada, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine and Head of the Council of Europe Office.