Personal Data and Public Broadcasting Laws Streamline Ukraine's European Integration

KYIV, Ukraine, July 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Ukrainian parliament has adopted the law that improves the personal data protection system and the draft law on public television and radio broadcasting of Ukraine collecting the votes of 373 and 333 deputies respectively out of the 226 votes required. Reportedly, both laws have been developed with European standards in mind and will contribute toward fulfilling Ukraine's commitment to the Council of Europe and the European community.

Starting January 1, 2014, Ukrainian ombudsman becomes an authorized body in the area of personal data protection. According to the law, the government has three months after the law comes into effect to destroy all applications for registration of personal data that have been previously filed and eliminate the state register of personal data together with all information it already contains. The new law gives the Commissioner on Human Rights the authority to design and implement guidelines for the protection of personal data, perform monitoring and inspections, take measures to eliminate violations as well as utilize new practices and technology with respect to personal data protection. The president's amendment to transfer to the ombudsman all personal data accumulated so far received support of the parliament.

The draft law on public television and radio broadcasting stipulates the creation of the National Public TV and Radio Company of Ukraine (NPTVRCU), consisting of two TV and two radio channels aimed at covering socio-political and cultural/educational issues. The objective of Ukrainian public broadcasting (UPB) is to provide unbiased, complete and timely information to the public on social, political and economic events in Ukraine and abroad, said the Head of the State Committee on Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine Oleksandr Kurdinovych, who presented the law. UPB will promote Ukrainian as well as minority languages and culture, create and disseminate economic, cultural, educational, entertaining and sports programs as well as programs for children, youth, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and other social groups, he reiterated.

Notably, back in 2011 President Yanukovych promised to expedite creation of public broadcasting in Ukraine. In 2012 the EU promised to help create and develop public broadcasting in partner-countries including Ukraine. The respective memorandum has been signed in July 2012 by EU commissioner Stefan Fule and president of European Broadcasting Union Jean-Paul Philipott.