Popular TV channel 112 Ukraine has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) amid allegations that the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council - government regulatory body - has attempted to pressure the network into altering its content.
112 Ukraine opted to turn to the ECHR after multiple attempts to litigate the case in Ukraine's courts.
A Kyiv Region administrative court is also hearing a case concerning the National Council's repeated attempts to decertify 112 since 2012.
“A violation of the European Convention on Human Rights against the TV channel laid the basis for this type of legal action...the right to convey information without interference by government authorities or political discrimination,” said Vasyl Smetana, the head of the legal department of 112 Ukraine.
112 has repeatedly reported the attempts that the National Council has put pressure on the network's executives regarding coverage of certain political-financial groups.
112 Ukraine's supporters include leading Ukrainian and international politicians and activists, all of whom are united in their condemnation of the National Council’s attempts to curb freedom of speech in Ukraine.