Ukraine-Russia conflict: Ukraine to ban some Russian music in public

Picture Courtesy: Sky news

Ukraine’s Parliament had voted in favor of banning music by some Russian musician in media and public places. The ban does not include all Russian musicians rather musicians who were or are Russian citizens after 1991.

Government also said that artists who have condemned Russia’s invasion can apply for and exception. In their application they must state that they support the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, call on Russia to immediately stop its aggression against Ukraine, and undertake to refrain from any steps that contradict these written statements. The import of books from Russia and Belarus will also be prohibited under the legislation.

The bill, approved by MPs on Sunday, bans some Russian music from being played or performed on television, radio, schools, public transport, hotels, restaurants, cinemas and other public spaces. Out of 450 deputies in the Ukrainian parliament, 303 supported it.

According to the document, the ban will "minimize the risks of possible hostile propaganda through music in Ukraine and will increase the volume of national music products in the cultural space.”

The document also includes laws to increase the share of Ukrainian songs played on the radio to 40%, as well as increasing the use of Ukrainian in daily programmes to 75%, Ukraine's public broadcaster (Suspilne) reports.