Law on language quotas on television comes into force

Law on language quotas on television comes into force

On October 13, the law on language quotas on television came into force, obliging national channels to broadcast at least 75 percent of its content in the Ukrainian language.

Radio Liberty reports.

The law was published in the official press on June 13 and entered into force, as envisaged, four months after the date of promulgation. On May 23, the Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading and in general a bill that sets the mandatory share of Ukrainian-language content on national TV channels in the amount of 75%.

According to the document, transmissions, films and news in Ukrainian must make not less than 75% of the total duration of transmissions and films in each of the intervals between 7:00 and 18:00, as well as between 18:00 and 22:00. Broadcasting companies should broadcast at least 60% of the broadcasts in Ukrainian. For non-fulfillment of requirements the TV and radio company pays a fine of 5% of the total amount of the license fee.