Five companies broadcasting under logo "112 Ukraina" appealed against National council’s decision

Five TV channels broadcasting under the logo "112 Ukraina", seized Kyiv District Administrative Court demanding to cancel the decision of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of September 26, by which the regulator denied to extend their license, as it is reported on the website of the District Administrative Court of Kyiv.

Together with the administrative lawsuit, the court received an application for a provisional remedy, in which the plaintiffs ask the court to suspend the above decisions of the National Council and to oblige the respective provider to resume providing the plaintiffs with digital broadcasting services in full and without any audiovisual changes.

IMI reported, on September 26, the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting refused to extend digital broadcasting licenses in the MX-5 regional multiplex to five regional companies that broadcast under the logo "112 Ukraina".

In particular, the following companies were denied licenses: LLC “Novy TV format”, LLC “Ariadna TV”, LLC “Partner TV”, LLC “TV Vybir”, LLC “Leader TV”.

At the same time, members of the National Council stressed that it was not a matter of revoking the license of 112 Ukraine: it had a satellite license and would continue to broadcast, but it was question of 5 regional companies, which were obliged to broadcast as regional channels rather than relaying the national channel.

“112 Ukraina” TV Channel considered the decision of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting to revoke the digital licenses as censorship.

The office of President Volodymyr Zelensky said they were "watching" the developments around the "112 Ukraina" TV channel.

As the media lawyer Maksym Dvorovy said, it was inappropriate to speak of censorship as to non-extension of license for 5 TV channels broadcasting under “112 Ukraine” logo, since the TV channel did not comply with the requirements of the law and the requirements of the program license.

Photo credit: 112.ua