Media owners should not influence the editorial policy of their media – the Head of State
Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that this can be regulated by the relevant law, the development of which he is willing to support.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in favor of eliminating at the legislative level the possibility of influence of business people on the editorial policy of the media belonging to them.
“All media owners must be business people, not politicians. They may have a portfolio of 90%, but they should not influence the policy of one or another media,” the President of Ukraine said during a press marathon.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that this can be regulated by the relevant law, the development of which he is willing to support.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Ukraine could prepare the document. “We were waiting for a fully formed Ministry headed by Volodymyr Borodyansky and we would start. Then we will build a framework for this bill and discuss it. We need to discuss this with the TV channels so that we do not have any misunderstanding,” the President explained.
According to him, everyone is well aware that the main media groups belong to the representatives of big business in Ukraine. “We know all the owners of the channels that have coverage that can be heard and seen, ” he said.
Therefore, according to the President, there should be a law regulating this area. And the National council of Television and Radio Broadcasting, which issues and revokes licenses, should control its implementation .
At the same time, the Head of State noted that after drafting and introduction to the Verkhovna Rada the relevant bill there must be a discussion with the owners of TV channels and media holdings. “They are the owners, whether we want it or not. We should meet, sit down and say that you can no longer influence politics in Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained.
The President of Ukraine is convinced that he will be able to reach an agreement with the owners of media resources on non-interference in editorial policy.
The Head of State also said that he reads daily various media, bloggers and is well-oriented in the information space of Ukraine. “Why do I know you? ” Because I read everything. I know the attitude of each of you to my team and to me. I know the rhetoric, ” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said to the journalists.
According to him, he spends about two hours after work every day on information monitoring. “I have no priorities. I read it all. Because I need different (points of view. – Ed.) ”, Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
The Head of State also reads foreign press monitoring.
