The Verkhovna Rada supported a resolution on ensuring the unimpeded activity of mass media during the 2006 pre-election period.
391 deputies out of 412 registered in the hall voted for this resolution, reports "Interfax-Ukraine".
According to the resolution, the Cabinet of Ministers is proposed to take measures to stop inspections by relevant executive branch services and state institutions of mass media from December 1, 2005 for the duration of the election campaign.
In addition, the resolution recommends that the State Tax Administration cancel inspection schedules for mass media during the 2006 pre-election campaign.
The deputies also introduced amendments to a number of laws concerning the work of mass media during the election campaign. 396 deputies out of 411 registered in the hall voted for the law.
The law introduces amendments to the law on television and radio broadcasting. According to these changes, the broadcasting time allocated for advertising may not exceed 15% of hourly broadcasting (excluding time allocated for political advertising during the election process) for television and radio organizations of any form of ownership.
Amendments are also introduced to the law on the election of deputies. According to these changes, definitions of the terms "pre-election campaigning" and "political advertising" are established.
According to the law, political advertising includes: the use of symbols or logos of parties (blocs) - subjects of the election process, as well as messages about a party's or bloc's or a candidate's support for entertainment or other public events, or drawing attention to the participation in such events of a party (bloc) or designated persons as candidates for deputies.
According to the law, the broadcasting time allocated for political advertising on radio and television may not exceed 20% of the actual volume of broadcasting during an astronomical day by a television and radio organization of any form of ownership.
The print space allocated for political advertising during the election process in print mass media, including advertising publications, may not exceed 20% of the print space of each issue of a publication or its supplement.
In addition, according to the law, coverage of the election process in mass media of all forms of ownership in interviews, discussions and debates, information messages, news and current events programs must be carried out on the principles of objectivity, impartiality and balance.
The law also establishes that in the event a court, when considering an election dispute, establishes a repeated or one-time gross violation by a mass media outlet of the requirements of this law, the court adopts a decision on the temporary (until the end of the election process) suspension of the license or on the temporary prohibition (until the completion of the election process) of the publication of a print edition.
In addition, according to the document, mass media are not responsible for the content of pre-election campaigning that was placed in accordance with an agreement with clients, except in cases provided for by this law.