Zelensky believes that the propaganda TV marathon supposedly does not violate freedom of speech in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian journalists supposedly decided on their own to unite for broadcasting in the format of a single telethon to fight disinformation.

He made this comment in response to a question from a journalist from “The New Yorker” about whether it undermines democracy that the telethon channels broadcast news in a “coordinated manner.”

“Journalists in Ukraine decided to join forces to combat Russian disinformation,” Zelensky said.

“The fact that the news departments of six TV channels have united does not mean that the channels themselves have been destroyed. They exist just as they did before. They have retained their slots in the broadcast lineup. They are free to show what they want. But this telethon has become a resource for people who, for example, don’t have electricity or see drones flying overhead,” the president said.

He added that “the telethon provides the truth.”

Earlier, surveys showed a decline in the popularity of the telethon.

It should be recalled that Western media have previously published critical articles regarding the telethon in the context of issues related to freedom of speech in Ukraine.