European Commission warns Ukraine over telethon funding and underfunding of Suspilne

Remarks on the telethon and the public broadcaster

According to Radio Svoboda data, the draft report of the European Commission contains critical remarks regarding the state of media funding in Ukraine. The main subject of criticism is the continuation of state funding for the "United News" telethon against the backdrop of declining audience trust and reduced reach.

Assessment of Suspilne's performance and financial issues

Meanwhile, the work of the public broadcaster Suspilne is assessed more positively in the document: it notes an increase in audience and the provision of balanced coverage of events. However, despite this, the actual level of funding for Suspilne remains lower than that provided for by current legislation.

European Commission recommendations

The European Commission recommends that Ukraine ensure adequate funding for Suspilne. The recommendations also emphasise the need to guarantee political and social pluralism in the content of media funded from the state budget.