Media checks banned during election period
The Verkhovna Rada on 9 February passed a resolution on ensuring unimpeded work by media outlets during the 2012 election campaign (№ 9311). The resolution received 357 votes.
The resolution recommends removing legal, administrative, economic and organizational obstructions on covering the election campaign. It instructs the Cabinet of Ministers to take measures to stop checks by various authorities and State institutions. It recommends that the State Tax Administration and National Broadcasting Council cancel their schedules for checks
As reported earlier, media lawyers have warned that a mere ban on planned media outlet checks during the elections will not stop unscheduled checks and will in no way protect the media from pressure by the authorities