The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the resolution "On ensuring the unimpeded activity of mass media during the pre-election period of 2004," submitted by people's deputies Mykola TOMENKO, Ivan BOKY and others. 294 of the 438 deputies registered in the hall voted "for,"
as a UNIAN correspondent reports, by this resolution the parliament proposes that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine take measures to stop inspections by relevant executive branch services and state institutions of mass media during the pre-election campaign for the elections of the President of Ukraine starting from January 1, 2004.
And also, it recommends that the State Tax Administration of Ukraine cancel the schedules of inspections of mass media for the period of the 2004 pre-election presidential campaign.
as UNIAN reported, on March 4, 2004 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine had already voted on the draft resolution "On ensuring the unimpeded activity of mass media during the pre-election period of 2004," but at that time rejected it.
At the same time, on March 15 President of Ukraine Leonid KUCHMA instructed the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the STA and the Ministry of Emergency Situations to introduce a moratorium on conducting inspections of mass media during the election campaign.