What will change on TV after the introduction of language quotas

Today, may 23, the Verkhovna Rada plans to consider draft law on the introduction of language quotas on TV.

This is the second reading of the draft law. During the first reading, March 16, voted 244 deputies.

“It is obvious that among the documents submitted first will be the draft law on languages, which provides for a specific quota of use of the Ukrainian language on Ukrainian television,” — said earlier the plans on Tuesday, the speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Andrew Parubiy.

Bill No. 5607, which are MPs from the faction “Block of Petro Poroshenko” Pavlo rizanenko and Andrew Sinkovich was registered on 26 December last year.

“We urge you to support the bill language and audiovisual products number 5313 — on quotas of Ukrainian language on TV. We also encourage to adopt a law on the visa regime with the aggressor”, — said the head of the parliamentary faction “people’s front” Maxim Bourbaki.

The adoption of this bill will require national broadcasters to include in its Ukrainian broadcasting content, the amount of which shall not be less than 75%. The quota requirement will be in effect during the time periods from 7:00 to 18:00 and from 18:00 to 22:00.

Moreover, for local TV channels Ukrainian quota will be 50%, and Crimean Tatar language will have the same rights as Ukrainian.

At the same time, according to the journalist Bogdan boutkevitch, the adoption of this bill can become a weapon in the information war of Ukraine against Russia.

“The Ukrainian language is now acting as a weapon against Russian aggression. As the Russian language, unfortunately, against Ukraine. If this law is not accepted, I will consider it no less a betrayal than a failure to vote for sanctions against Yanukovych”, — he stressed.

In turn, the head of the National Council of Ukraine on television and radio broadcasting Yuri Artemenko said about the confrontation.

“Adoption of this bill resists the whole television industry, especially large national channels,” he said.

Recall the language quotas for radio stations to operate since November of last year. According to them, 50% of the radio must be in the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian-language songs during the day should be not less than 25%.

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