Law on 75-percent Ukrainian language quota for TV networks enters into force

The Law regulating language quotas on Ukrainian TV is coming into effect today, Oct. 13. The document was published in Holos Ukrainy governmental newspaper four months ago.

Censor.NET reports citing 112 Ukraine.

The law obliges national TV channels to air 75 percent of Ukrainian language content between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. Ukrainian language quota for local channels is 60 percent of content. If a network broadcasts in several regions out of Ukraine's 25, it is deemed a national one.

Movies and TV shows produced before Aug. 1, 1991 can be aired without translation but with subtitles (required). Soviet-time content, if not in Russian, should be translated and post-
synchronized in Ukrainian.

During the first year after the law enactment, all TV shows and parts of them that are created and funded by a network will be calculated into their Ukrainian language quota. This is an incentive to support national producers.

Violation of language quotas will lead to a fine in amount of 5 percent of broadcast licence fee.

Quotas do not apply to foreign broadcasters, TV companies demonstrating scientific and educational shows in the official languages of the European Union, TV companies that also exercise radio broadcasting, TV channels which educational shows are solely aimed at studying foreign languages.

A TV show is considered to be in Ukrainian if all speeches (remarks) of its hosts and participants are in Ukrainian. Milder requirements will be applied to shows televised live as only their hosts will have to speak Ukrainian. Other languages can be used without dubbing and translation in spot broadcasts, comments of the show guests, music videos.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the law on Ukrainian language quotes for TV networks on May 23. The bill was published in Holos Ukrainy governmental newspaper on June 13.