Ukraine to create new unified public broadcaster

The Ukrainian parliament has voted to merge the countries national TV and radio companies within a new national public service broadcaster.

The new entity, Public Service Broadcasting of Ukraine (PBSU), will combine the National Television Company of Ukraine (NTU) and the National Radio Company of Ukraine, State-owned TV and radio company Kultura and a number of regional broadcasters currently controlled by local government.

The long-delayed law was originally due to come into force at the beginning of last year but was delayed by a series of political disputes following the elections of October 2012.

“For a long time we have been striving to create a powerful and independent broadcasting organisation which would serve society and be controlled by it exclusively,” said recently appointed NTU general director Zurab Alasania, welcoming the news.