All print media in Ukraine now only published in the state language

On January 16, 2022, the norms provided for in Article 25 of the Law of Ukraine "On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language" entered into force.

Ukrinform reported this with reference to the text of the legislative act published in the official newspaper of the Verkhovna Rada "Voice of Ukraine" on May 16, 2019.

According to these norms, the print media in Ukraine must be published in the state language.

They may be published in other languages, provided that the foreign language edition is published in the official language at the same time as the corresponding circulation.

It is assumed that all language versions should be published under the same name, correspond to each other in content, volume, and method of printing, and their issues should have the same serial numbering and be published in one day.

Distribution of print media published in foreign languages ​​by subscription is allowed provided that their founders (co-founders) provide the opportunity to subscribe to a similar publication in Ukraine in the state language.

The founders (co-founders) of the print media are obliged to produce, publish and deliver a mandatory copy of documents (issues) in the state language.

At the same time, the requirements of Article 25 do not apply to print media published exclusively in Crimean Tatar, other languages ​​of the indigenous peoples of Ukraine, English, and other official languages ​​of the European Union, regardless of whether they contain texts in Ukrainian.

As well as for scientific publications, the language of which is determined by Article 22 of the relevant law. The obligatory copy of numbers (issues) in the state language, in this case, is made, published, and delivered in the corresponding language.

On April 25, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada passed the Law "On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language."

Its articles are implemented in stages. The vast majority of its rules came into force on July 16, 2019.