The mass media in Ukraine refers to mass media outlets based in Ukraine. Television, magazines, and newspapers are all operated by both state-owned and for-profit corporations which depend on advertising, subscription, and other sales-related revenues. The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees freedom of speech. As a country in transition, Ukraine's media system is under transformation.
Legislative framework
The Ukrainian legal framework on media freedom is deemed "among the most progressive in eastern Europe", although implementation has been uneven. The constitution and laws provide for freedom of speech and press. However, the government does not always respect these rights in practice.
The 1996 Constitution of Ukraine and a 1991 law On information provide for freedom of speech and free development of media in Ukraine.
The Constitution of Ukraine lists the Ukrainian language as the official one, and the law compels media outlets to use it. Nevertheless, most media publications in Ukraine are in Russian language. Electronic media (TV and radio), which are government-licensed, are mostly in Ukrainian, while print newspapers, which only require a formal registration, are published in Russian. Online media in Ukraine is not regulated.
The main pieces of Ukrainian Media Legislation are: Law on Information since 1992 (2011 - new edition), No. 2657-XII Law on Access to public information since 2011, No. 2939-VI Law on Personal data protection since 2011, No. 2297-VI Law on Printed Media (Press) in Ukraine since 1992, No. 2782-XII Law on Reforming of the state and municipal print press since 2015, No. 917-VIII Law on Television and Radio since 1993 (2006 - new edition), No. 3759-XII Law on Public TV and radio of Ukraine since 2014 (with 2015 major amendments), No. 1227-VII Law on the National Television and Broadcasting Council of Ukraine since 1997, No. 538/97-ВР Law on Filmmaking since 1998, No. 9/98-ВР On State Support of Mass Media and Social Protection of Journalists since 1997, No. 540/97-ВР On the Procedure for Covering Activities of Bodies of State Power and Local Self-Government by Mass Media in Ukraine since 1997, No. 539/97-ВР Law on Public Morality Security since 2003, No. 1296-IV Law on the Ratification of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television since 2008, No. 687-VI Law on State Support of Publishing Business in Ukraine since 2003, No. 601-IV
In 2001 Ukraine decriminalised libel, which is considered a civil offence, and the law limits the amount of damages that may be claimed in libel lawsuits. Since 2009, judges have been required to follow ECHR standards on civil libel standards, distinguishing between facts and value judgement, and affording lower levels of protection to public officials. Yet, the use of libel lawsuits by politicians and officials to deter critical reporting has continued. The press can publish critical materials and opinions without penalty, and public officials enjoy fewer legal protections from criticism than other citizens. However, local media observers express concern over high monetary damages that at times were demanded and awarded for alleged libel.
The constitution prohibits arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home, or correspondence, however in the past authorities have been reported as only selectively respecting these prohibitions.
The Law on Protection of Public Morals of 20 November 2003, prohibits the production and circulation of pornography; dissemination of products that propagandise war or spread national and religious intolerance; humiliation or insult to an individual or nation on the grounds of nationality, religion, or ignorance; and the propagation of "drug addition, toxicology, alcoholism, smoking and other bad habits."
Draconian laws were passed in mid January 2014 during the Euromaidan demonstrations by the Yanukovych administration that seriously restricted freedom of expression and freedom of the media. They were repealed on 28 January 2014.
In early March 2014, Crimea removed Ukraine-based TV channels ahead of its Russian annexation referendum. Later that month, the Ukrainian National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting ordered measures against some Russian TV channels which were accused of broadcasting misleading information about Ukraine.