Can Media Overseers Strike Political and Professional Balance?

The names of the four who are to represent the President on the National Television and Radio Board became known on June 9. These names are familiar to a few knowledgeable people, but some of the former became a surprise even to experts. So the National Board now consists of Mykola Kniazhytsky, Viktor Leshyk, Mykyta Poturayev, and Yuri Pokalchuk, from the parliamentary side, and of Mykola Bahrov, Volodymyr Hranovsky, Yuri Plaksiuk, and Borys Kholod, from the executive. To what extent has the balance of forces been observed in this body? What chance does it stand to make professional and influential decisions?

Artur BILOUS, member, Freedom of Speech Committee, Verkhovna Rada:

“Everything happening with the appointment of the presidential four reflects the struggle in the presidential entourage. And we see today that the most often given the nod to candidates, such as Zynovy Kulyk, Oleksandr Savenko, and even Oleksandr Martynenko, who are so far not even mentioned.

“I think the main influence groups will keep a balance of forces on the National Board. Take, for example, the much talked- about Yuri Plaksiuk, whose name is associated with ICTV: to head this channel under the current owners is an altogether different thing than to do so under the previous proprietors. I think the Surkis-Medvedchuk group and the Volkov group will in general keep their current balance, although it seems at first glance they have been upstaged by Mr. Pinchuk, a third force.

“But, whatever the final appointments to the National Board might be, it will make no basic difference on the air. For this new board will see its powers substantially curtailed after the President signs the new law on radio frequency resources. The point is the final say in assigning a frequency will belong to a new body, the telecommunications administration, which means the National Board will only perform oversight functions. This is why there is still a sensation that, as channel licensing approaches, one will be able to influence something.” Oleksandr KRYVENKO, editor-in-chief, PiK magazine:

“We can hardly speak about any equilibrium of political forces on the National Television and Radio Board. But, in fact, I am not convinced that we should assess the situation from this standpoint.

“As to the professional balance among the four members selected by parliament and the four presidential appointees, far from all members are television or radio broadcasting experts. This might surprise many, for there is a writer among the parliament’s four and a philosopher-political-scientist-image- maker wrapped up in one among the President’s men. Both fours have people with experience in the producer’s and advertising market. I think this kind of people, plus narrow television specialists, will strike a certain parity and balance of specializations. And I think this is an interesting move which gives people a real opportunity to work, for the main function of the National Board is to issue broadcast licenses and to see to it that the laws are being observed when a program is aired. I hope that, relying on their previous experience, these people will be able to find a common language, instead of getting into a deadlock in search of the equilibrium of political forces. One thing that raises questions is that a few Board members — three, four at most — can be associated with a certain oligarch. This points to a danger that the National Board could fail to work productively, when four or three persons, who own the controlling share of votes, decide to feather their own nests. Yet, this apparent threat can be offset by the equilibrium I have tried to explain. And, finally, we should remember that the President’s four can be replaced, for it is easier for the President than parliament to do this. Other people can also emerge to restore, if necessary, the oxygen balance in the National Board’s organism.”