Tkachenko explained why the newly created "Medvedchuk channel" was shut down

Tkachenko explained why the newly created "Medvedchuk channel" was shut down

Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko explained why the channel "First Independent" was closed. It was created by journalists from the blocked "Medvedchuk channels."

He reported this on the talk show "Right to Power."

Oleksandr Tkachenko expressed doubt that "100 journalists for one hryvnia could start a channel."

"First, these journalists who worked at the three closed channels are unlikely to have done work that meets even the basic standards of journalism. Likewise, it is unlikely that these media, which operated according to Kremlin directives, can be called free media or media worthy of protection," he explained.

The TV channel "First Independent" was put on the air at 18:00 Kyiv time. As representatives of the media holding told outlets in a comment, "First Independent" united ZIK, NewsOne and 112 Ukraine, which are under Ukrainian sanctions for creating a threat to national security.

Who are the owners of the new TV channel

The owners of the Lviv channel "First Independent" became employees of Taras Kozak’s media holding in February 23. In particular, the channel changed owner: it became Mediaholding Novyny LLC, created in February 18 by employees of the "Medvedchuk channels" 100.

According to Detector Media, the head of Time Media LLC, which sold the Lviv channel "First Independent" to employees of the "Medvedchuk channels," became manager of Taras Kozak’s media group Pavlo Yehorychev. Yehorychev is also the director of Novyi Format TV LLC and the head of TV Vybir LLC, which are part of Kozak’s media group. In particular, these LLCs hold licenses and broadcast under the logo "112 Ukraine."

Recall, in February 2 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky put into effect the National Security and Defense Council’s decision to apply sanctions against People’s Deputy from the Opposition Platform — For Life party Taras Kozak and 8 companies that are founders of the channels "112 Ukraine", "ZIK" and "NewsOne." Broadcasting of these channels was suspended on the digital multiplex and in cable networks on the night of 3 February. At the same time, the channels continued broadcasting on the YouTube platform.

Press secretary of the President of Ukraine Yuliia Mendel stated that funding of the channels NewsOne, ZIK, "112 Ukraine", which were sanctioned by the National Security and Defense Council’s decision, was confirmed to have come from the Russian Federation.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksii Danilov emphasized that the decision to impose sanctions on these channels does not concern freedom of speech, but is aimed at combating information terrorism against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the NSDC’s decision on sanctions against the channels "NewsOne", "ZIK" and "112 Ukraine" is legally justified and was made immediately after specific grounds for it were recorded and discussed. According to the head of state, all threats to Ukraine’s national security will receive an effective and lawful response.