The EU calls on Ukraine to gradually wind down the “United News” telethon: what is known

The European Union is calling on Ukraine to gradually create a transparent and independent media space. It is also about the gradual evaluation and winding down of the nationwide telethon “United News”.

This is reported by the Institute of Mass Information. This is stated in the official document “Common Position of the European Union – Cluster 1 “Fundamentals” within the framework of negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU.”

It is known that Brussels outlined a list of conditions that Ukraine must fulfill in order to join the EU. In particular, these are requirements in the area of freedom of speech.

The main emphasis is placed on freeing the media market from oligarchs, ensuring the independence of the regulator and the Public Broadcaster, as well as protecting journalists from pressure.

At the same time, the EU positively assessed Ukraine’s measures to counter disinformation and foreign information manipulation (FIMI) during the electoral processes. In addition, it is noted that in order to develop an independent media space, it is necessary to gradually phase out the single telethon.

Currently, Ukrainian media legislation only partially complies with EU standards.

For full integration, the country’s leadership must fulfill a number of conditions to avoid the influence of monopolists and oligarchs on the information space.

Key EU requirements in the media sphere:

• implementation of the EU Media Freedom Act (EMFA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the anti-SLAPP directive to protect investigators from unfounded prosecutions;

• guaranteeing full political and financial independence of the National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting;

• ensuring stable functioning and financing of the Public Broadcaster;

• ensuring transparent rules for the distribution of budget funds for advertising in the media;

• ensuring journalists’ right to access public information, in particular under martial law;

• creation of effective mechanisms for the protection of journalists and the inevitable punishment of any facts of their intimidation or persecution;

• systematic support for local public media.

In particular, the EU emphasizes the importance of this transition period. Europe has supported Ukraine’s initiative to create a “roadmap” that will outline steps towards a transparent and independent media space after the end of martial law.

According to IMI, during this time, various authorities have repeatedly called on Ukraine to review the format of the nationwide telethon “United News” and provide viewers with a wider choice of information sources.

Previously, Pryamyy reported that Ukraine had completed only 15% of the priority reforms needed to advance to the European Union, which is causing disappointment among European officials.

Also, at the EU level, the opening of five clusters in the negotiations on Ukraine’s accession has already been agreed . The pre-agreed date is said to be July 14.

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