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Poroshenko bans Russian nationals and companies to own media outlets in Ukraine

Ukrainian media outlets will now be obliged to publish information about their owners at official websites and hand it over to the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council

KIEV, September 10 /TASS/. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday signed a media transparency law, which bans Russian nationals and companies to own media resources in Ukraine, the presidential press service reported on Thursday.

On September 3, Verkhovna Rada (parliament) adopted a relevant bill in the second reading by 237 votes out 226, which is necessary.

From now on, legal entities and individuals registered in offshore zones; persons without citizenship; legal entities and natural persons who are residents of a country branded to be an aggressor or an occupier as well as legal entities in which they are shareholders will be forbidden to create media outlets; participate in the work of TV and radio companies and be providers of programs.

"Media outlets will now be obliged to publish information about their owners at official websites and hand it over to the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council," Viktoria Sumar, the head of Rada’s Committee for Freedom of Speech and Information Policy, said.

The law was adopted as part of an action plan to implement Ukraine’s commitments deriving from its membership of the European Union, the explanatory note to the law said.