President Petro Poroshenko has taken part in presentation of Public broadcasting and signed the Law on Public television and radio broadcasting.
President Petro Poroshenko has taken part in presentation of Public broadcasting and signed the Law on Public television and radio broadcasting.
"This is the law awaited by Ukraine for 23 years. The authorities either lacked will, or were unwilling to deal with that issue, because the authorities always wanted to control media space and considered that establishing public television would be similar to releasing the genie out of the bottle. This is the price, the government must pay for democracy," the President stated.
The Head of State has noted that MPs had allowed opening the new page of freedom of speech in Ukraine by voting for the given law. "I've been always confident that public television should exist," Petro Poroshenko said.
The President has noted that he personally was really dependent on the information environment and when returning home at night, he was browsing information resources on the Internet for about half an hour. "I consider myself a well informed person. When I watch TV or listen to radio, I cannot say that I agree with everything. Sometimes I think that plots are not objectively submitted and information is not always accurate. Still, we must get used to the life in such environment. I am proud that in the course of my presidency, I have not called anyone to say that I do not like this or that story," Petro Poroshenko noted.
The Head of State has reminded the words of Voltaire: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it". "I am ready for a lot to preserve the freedom of speech and democracy in Ukraine," Petro Poroshenko said.
"I am convinced that everything will be fine with the child of two Maidans – Orange Maidan and Maidan of Dignity," the Head of State noted. According to him, Ukrainian journalists have only two restrictions left: "the muse, for it doesn't come to everyone; and the Law, which must be observed".
"From Pershyi Natsionalnyi to BBC," the President has set a task for the Director of Pershyi Natsionalnyi TV channel Zurab Alasania.
At the same time, the President noted that having signed the law, he would send his proposals to the Parliament. "I am not satisfied with the fact that the council on the appointment of management includes politicians. I believe they have nothing to do there," he said. According to the President, politicians must make the final step towards the independence of public television and allow NGOs and journalists to form the management themselves, "for them to be responsible for the quality, impartiality and independence from politicians and oligarchs". "It is also a process of deoligarchization of our society," the Head of State emphasized.
The President has noted that the start of Public broadcasting had coincided with the Feast of the Annunciation. "It is a good sign both for Ukraine and the world," Petro Poroshenko said and congratulated the attendees on the holiday. "Annunciation always brings hope for salvation and the victory of truth! The truth is with us. The Lord is with us. I hope that our life will bring us fewer bad news, even though they are objective, and more good news. Glory to Ukraine!" the President said.