The Verkhovna Rada adopted a number of laws on countering the influence of the aggressor country on the Ukrainian information and cultural space. In particular, a law on support of the national musical product and restriction of public use of the musical product of the aggressor state was adopted (Law of Ukraine No. 2310-IX dated 19.06.2022), which will enter into force 3 months from the date of its publication Law No. 2310-IX provides for the prohibition of Russian music in Ukraine on television, radio, entertainment facilities, schools, public transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas and other public spaces.
“The musical product of the aggressor state can influence the separatist sentiments of the population, creating the illusion of the attractiveness of the Russian identity, the presence of common interests, different from the interests of the rest of the population of Ukraine, giving rise to value-identity contradictions. Such products were often, in essence, informational special operations aimed at weakening our state “, says the explanatory note to the draft of the proposed law.
At the same time, parliamentarians increased the quota for Ukrainian music on the air of radio stations and TV channels from 35% to 40%.
In addition, Law No. 2310-IX prohibits tours with the participation of performers who are citizens of the Russian Federation.
The document also provides for the creation of a list of performers who condemn Russia’s aggression – their songs can be played on the radio and in public space. To be included in such a list, performers or their representatives must submit an application to the Security Service of Ukraine. In it, they should state that they support the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, call on Russia to immediately stop aggression against Ukraine. They also undertake to refrain from any steps contrary to the written statements provided.
The above restrictions will apply until the liberation of all occupied territories of Ukraine and the cessation of aggression by Russia.
In addition, the Verkhovna Rada passed a ban on the import of books from Russia and Belarus. The corresponding law on establishing restrictions on the import and distribution of publishing products concerning the aggressor state, the Republic of Belarus, the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine (based on draft law No. 7459) was adopted on June 19, 2022. Currently, this document is signed by the President and will enter into force the day after its official publication.
In particular, this law prohibits the publication, importation, distribution in Ukraine of book publications containing the works of authors who are citizens of the aggressor country. At the same time, this ban will not apply to books published in Ukraine before January 1, 2023.
If the book is written in Russian by a non-citizen of the Russian Federation, it can be imported with a special permit.
In Ukraine, from January 1, 2023, books will be published and distributed in the state Ukrainian language, the languages of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine, and the official languages of the EU.
Books in other languages may be published and distributed if they are published in the original language. Translated literature must be published and distributed in translations into the Ukrainian language or any official language of the EU or the language of the indigenous people of Ukraine.
At the same time, on June 19, 2022, a draft law on stimulating the development of Ukrainian book publishing and book distribution was adopted (draft law No. 6287). From 2023, it is planned to provide a state subsidy of up to 20% of income to reimburse the costs of renting real estate used by the subject of the publishing business. It is also envisaged to provide assistance to citizens by providing a certificate for the purchase of books in the amount of 0.3 of the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons.
Sources:
- https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2310-20#Text
- https://itd.rada.gov.ua/billInfo/Bills/pubFile/1375427