The Verkhovna Rada registered the Bill No. 9547, which provides more rigid sanctions for the use of Russian musical content in public. These are cafes, restaurants, shops, beauty salons and other public service establishments.
Currently, the current legislation provides for a symbolic fine - UAH 70. The authors of the new initiative consider it an ineffective tool to combat the information influence of the aggressor country.
What do deputies offer?
- The penalties will increase by dozens of times - from 5100 to 8500 UAH for the first violation, and in the case of repeated - up to 25 500 UAH.
- Responsibility will be borne by the heads of institutions who allow or do not control the broadcast of prohibited music. Ordinary citizens are not responsible.
- The purpose of the bill is national security. According to the initiators, such measures are aimed at reducing Russia's cultural influence and strengthening Ukraine's information sovereignty.
The explanatory note mentioned a resonant case in the village of Pogrebi, Kyiv region, where Russian music was heard in the karaoke in the summer of 2023. After the remark, the visitors were removed from the premises, and the police discharged the institution only a minimum fine. This incident caused indignation in society.
The bill is currently under consideration by the profile committee. If supported, institutions that neglect the ban will be faced with serious financial sanctions.
