The Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada) has signed a decree, numbered 4200, suspending the transmission or retransmission of some TV and radio programmes via cable networks.

According to ProIT, they apply to those produced in states that have not signed the European Convention on Transfrontier Television, and the National Council on Television and Radio, the Cabinet and central government have until today (February 24) to ensure it is implemented.

The decision has been criticized by Natalia Klitnaya, the VP of the Association of Rights Holders and Content Providers (APPC) as amounting to blatant interference in the economic activities of cable operators and the censorship of information carried on Russian TV programmes.

However, those who initiated the decree say they want to preserve national security, which is threatened by calls for separatism.

Neither Russia nor Belarus have signed the European Convention on Transfrontier Television.