Pressure on freedom of speech continues: in Ukraine, there are plans to regulate the activities of Telegram channels

In Ukraine, pressure on freedom of speech continues. One of the topics currently under consideration is the regulation of Telegram channels.

This was announced by the head of the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting, Olga Gerasimyuk.

According to her, Telegram channels are allegedly “used for Russian propaganda.”

“Telegram is a very complex issue that we at the National Council work on daily. This phenomenon has become so widespread that the further we go, the more difficult it will be to deal with it. Meanwhile, the enemy is working with it very successfully,” said Gerasimyuk.

It’s worth noting that the issue of “regulating” Telegram was previously mentioned by the former Minister of Culture, Alexander Tkachenko, but it did not gain much traction at the time.

“Telegram has created a closed community, whereas all media falling under the ‘Media Law’ are open and their owners are known, and there is a certain level of accountability, etc. Therefore, Telegram is a matter that requires expert discussion,” Tkachenko stated in an interview.

When asked whether this meant a ban on the messenger, the former minister responded that it was about “certain regulations” and mentioned that discussions were ongoing on this matter.

In November 2022, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense expressed concerns about the large number of Ukrainians subscribing to Telegram channels managed by Russia.

“Millions of Ukrainians are currently subscribed to Telegram channels that are filled and managed by the Russian Federation and its representatives. We have published this list multiple times, but unfortunately, the Ukrainian audience for these channels continues to grow,” said Anna Maliar, who was then the Deputy Minister of Defense.