VIENNA, 28 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called today on the Ukrainian authorities to urgently find an effective solution to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of the public broadcasting company of Ukraine, UA:PBC.

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PRESS RELEASE

OSCE Representative Désir calls on Ukrainian authorities to find swift and effective solution for unblocking accounts of public broadcasting company

According to UA:PBC, on 18 February 2020, the Department of State Executive Service (the bailiff service) at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine opened enforcement proceedings against UA:PBC, which resulted in the immediate blocking of all of its accounts. This step was reportedly taken in order to recover over 10 million euros, owed to the television channel Euronews. The debt was inherited by UA:PBC from its predecessor, the National Television Company of Ukraine, as a result of its partnership with Euronews in 2010 to establish a Euronews Ukrainian service. UA:PBC points out that the blocked bank accounts have already interrupted preparations for some important programmes and projects, including the live broadcasts of the 2020 Olympics.

“I call on the authorities to urgently explore and find effective solutions to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of UA:PBC. It is particularly important to ensure that the public broadcaster created in 2014 doesn’t bear such a burden from its predecessor, that this is detrimental to its mission and development today,” Désir said. “I underline that public service broadcasting plays an indispensable role in providing public interest programming and enhancing the professionalism of media, thereby contributing to diversity, and pluralism. This is only possible when the state secures and respects its independence and sustainability.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/447478

Contacts:

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Wallnerstrasse 6
1010 Vienna
Austria
Office: +43 1 514 36 6800
Fax: +43 1 514 36 6802
[email protected]

Ton van den Brandt

Office: +43 1 514 36 6806
[email protected]

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