Mass media in Ukraine

Among the invariable prerequisites of a modern democratic community is freedom of the press, guarantees of the undeterred activities of journalists and publishers and free public access to printed matter, radio and television programs. Ukraine's mass media include periodicals, radio, television, information agencies, press centres, press services, government departments and agencies for contacts with the press. Ukrainian media operate under the Constitution, the Laws of Ukraine "On Information," "On Means of Printed Information in Ukraine," "On Radio and Television," "On Copyright and Related Rights."

The press is generally known as "the fourth estate". In various periods of its existence and depending on the political system, the mass media has always maintained certain relations with those public and political structures which were actually in control of most spheres in the life of society.

Nowadays editors and journalists are faced with the problem of keeping their publications alive, the problem of elementary survival. A number of editorial boards have found rich sponsors; others are trying to go into small on-the-side business to earn an extra buck or two to keep the edition going.

There are 50 non-government TV and radio companies, channels, studious, video-centres and 11 information agencies of different orientations in Ukraine. These agencies have correspondents and reporters who help in publishing news bulletins in Ukrainian and several other languages.

Ukrainian journalists use their professional skills and experience to raise the national media's analytical, informative, aesthetic standard to the international level. Professional journalists are associated in the National Press Club, a public politically non-affiliated organization.

In 1994 Ukraine numbered 27 government-run TV and radio companies, including 23 in the oblast administrative regions, 2 City, the Krym TV-and-Radio Company, and the State Television and Radio Company in Kyiv.

The Press Centre of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is involved in a variety of activities aimed of facilitating the implementation of international docu­ments in the sphere of information and data exchanges.

The Press services and centres of the President, the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers and almost all political parties, public associations, societies and foundations are also constantly active.