Russian regime propaganda criteria for audiovisual media now in effect

The Criteria for Classifying Information as Containing Propaganda for the Russian Totalitarian Regime, Russian Armed Aggression, and Symbols of Military Invasion for entities operating in the audiovisual media sector have taken effect in Ukraine on 22 September 2026, the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting (NCTRB) and the Co-Regulatory Body (CRB) for audiovisual media services reported.

The Criteria contain methodological guidance and jointly agreed-upon rules which audiovisual media outlets must follow when producing and releasing content and which the NCTRB must refer to when reviewing potential violations.

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The document sets out detailed prohibitions on disseminating information that promotes or glorifies decisions by Russian state bodies and officials, publicly denies Russian armed aggression, promotes the “Russian world” ideology, or contains symbols of the military invasion.

The document draws on the Law of Ukraine “On Media”, the Law “On the Ban on Propaganda for the Russian Totalitarian Regime…”, and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

The NCTRB said that the document had been drafted by a task force of 12 people, including media industry representatives, NCTRB specialists, and experts with civil society organisations, over the course of 21 meetings. The draft was approved by the CRB board and the NCTRB and signed by over 50% of the CRB’s total membership, leading to its official entry into force.

To enforce the criteria, the CRB for audiovisual media services plans to set up a panel of experts to evaluate content and provide input in disputed cases. Moreover, the NCTRB and the CRB will hold a series of workshops and training sessions for media outlets. The CRB task force is now drafting the other criteria required by Article 36 of the Law of Ukraine “On Media”.

In September 2026, the NCTRB approved the Criteria for Classifying Information as Containing Propaganda for the Russian Totalitarian Regime, Russia’s Armed Aggression Against Ukraine, and Symbols of Military Invasion.