Parliament adopts resolution on sanctions against 112 Ukraine, NewsOne TV channels

A total of 229 MPs voted for the approval of a respective draft resolution, No. 9157, as a basis and as a whole on Thursday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Just as we protect our state sovereignty, we must also protect our sovereign information space against pro-Russian lies and manipulation. There will be statements that this resolution is the suppression of freedom of speech, which is the right of every citizen to have impartial, true, balanced information. However, this is not indulgence for pro-Russian television channels regarding the destruction of our state. By this resolution, we protect the freedom of speech and return this concept to its very essence," said People's Front MP Serhiy Vysotsky, a co-author of the legislative initiative and deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy. 

Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defense Ivan Vinnyk, in turn, noted that the proposals set forth in the resolution would be sent to the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.

"We must comply with the requirements of the petition, consider, approve and send to the National Security and Defense Council the proposals on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive sanctions in connection with the activities of the 112 Ukraine and NewsOne television channels," Vinnyk said.

The resolution proposes submitting for consideration by the NSDC the proposals on the application of sanctions against limited liability companies Ariadna TV, Novy Format TV, TV Vybir, Teleradiokompaniya 112-TV, Lider TV, and Partner TV, which are operating under the emblem of the 112 Ukraine TV channel, as well as Novyny 24 Hodyny LLC (the NewsOne TV channel).

The restrictions concern the blocking of assets, the revocation or suspension of licenses and other permits, a ban on the use of radio frequencies in Ukraine, the restriction or termination of provision of telecommunication services and the use of telecommunication networks of general use, etc.

Earlier reports said that the petition to terminate the anti-Ukrainian activities of the 112 Ukraine and NewsOne television channels, which was published on the website of the Verkhovna Rada on September 20, had received in nine days the necessary number of votes for further consideration.

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