Today, Government of Ukraine adopted the statute of Public Joint Stock Company “National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine”. This decision enables formation of the legal entity of public broadcaster and continuation the reform.

The statute development have lasted for about the year, including the work of media experts. In particular, lawyer of Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law Ihor Rozkladaj has created the primary draft of the document in collaboration with State Committee for television and radio broadcasting of Ukraine, and National Television Company of Ukraine. Additionally, this project has been disputed during the meetings of Supervisory Board of NTCU.

According to resolution draft announced by Oleh Nalyvaiko, head of State Committee for television and radio broadcasting of Ukraine, it is planned to place ordinary registered shares of JSC NPBU in the amount of 2.544.273 units that cost 1000 hryvnias each. This value corresponds the authorized capital of NPBU, which equates 2,5 billions of hryvnias.

The adoption of NPBU statute is critical for the reform in general, stressed Ihor Rozkladaj.

«There was a risk, that the delay with the reorganization, in particular with liquidation of Crimean and Sevastopol regional broadcasting companies, will interfere the evaluation of the property and appraisement of NTCU. It could make the adoption of statute and creation of JSC impossible. Thanks to joint work of State Committee for television and radio broadcasting of Ukraine, Ministry of Information Policy, head of Committee on Freedom of Speech and Information Policy of Parliament, Ministry of Justice and State Property Fund of Ukraine, all necessary actions have been already done, including the adoption of the statute during the Government session», – he marked. 

After the registration of NPBU, the Supervisory Board will be authorized. This body will organize and carry on the election of the board of company. Additionally, Government must adopt changes to budget of Public broadcasting after the first half of the year, because current budget of state grants only 75% of funds, guaranteed by law. These changes are provided by budget law. 

«After the first half of the year 2017 according to approved report about economic and financial activity and financial plan of NPBU, [Government must] introduce the proposals of budget changes to Parliament, including the growth of funding for National Public Television and Radio Company of Ukraine», – defines the law.

Thus, the year 2017 will be the starting point of second stage of reform. After the election of the board, the renovation of JSC structure will be started as well as the change of programs to achieve the main goal of state broadcasting reform.