Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that Russian agents controlling the media are still operating in Ukraine and supports the idea of a bill that would register “agents of influence” of the aggressor state.
Speaking from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada on September 20 morning, addressing the parliament with an annual message about the internal and external situation of Ukraine, Poroshenko noted that some TV channels, newspapers, Internet media outlets “have become open mouthpieces of Russian propaganda.”
“Ukraine still has a network of Russian agents who take control of the media, breeds ‘independent’ non-governmental organizations. They are independent of Ukraine but are controlled by the Kremlin and incite anti-Ukrainian, anti-European and anti-American sentiments. Thus, I support the idea of a bill on registration of agents of influence of the aggressor state,” Poroshenko said.
The head of state noted he shares the opinion of the parliament speaker that information security is a major issue during the election period.
“I am glad that the parliament is also aware of the depth of this problem,” he said.
Poroshenko said that such a law “will in no way influence civil society, media or freedom of speech.”
