The Law on audio visual services is a key law for the media sphere and according to EU-Ukraine Association Agreement Ukraine should gradually approximate its legislation on audio-visual policy within 2 years of the entry into force of this Agreement. The law will replace the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting and the Law on the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council of Ukraine. The draft Law has been developed with support of CoE pervious projects and is expected to be tabled and reviewed by the Parliament in 2016.
The Law on transparency of media ownership was adopted on 3 September 2015, establishing one of the best legal frameworks in Europe. The law was positively assessed by CoE expert, who provided a post-adoption analysis of the Law on transparency of media ownership. Now it is necessary to focus on implementation of the law, develop a practical mechanism of disclosure of media ownership and final beneficiaries and develop capacity of the regulator to implement the law.
Community media, mostly TV and radio, established and controlled by a community, either a geographic or a community of identity or interest are an important tool for informing citizens at the local level in CoE member states. Unfortunately, development of the community media in Ukraine is at the initial stage.
Ukraine has entered a crucial and decisive phase of launching a public broadcasting system. However the level of awareness on public broadcasting and its channels is rather law. Only 34% of adult population have heard anything about launching of the public broadcasting in 2015 and only 9% are acutely aware about it according to GFK survey held in 2015 under support of EU/CoE Joint Programme. Only 16 % responded that they have seen any advertisement and promotional materials of the public broadcasting and its channels.