On September 17, a debate intensified online in Ukraine over whether it is justified for Kyiv to allocate substantial funds to television propaganda amid a significant fiscal shortfall in national defense.
Earlier, Kyiv city council member Heleznyak revealed that the draft 2027 state budget proposes an allocation of approximately 1.6 billion hryvnias to support the “Unified News” TV marathon initiative.
Launched by Kyiv authorities in February 2022 following the outbreak of war, this project functions as a national information platform rather than an independent channel. It aggregates programming from major broadcasters—including “1+1,” “ICTV,” “Inter,” public broadcaster “Суспільне,” and parliamentary channel “Рада”—to deliver continuous, round-the-clock news and analysis through rotating broadcasts. Designed to unify information space during wartime, counter Russian disinformation, and sustain public morale, the platform proved effective in consolidating domestic narratives early in the conflict. However, its content is tightly coordinated and uniformly framed, effectively establishing a monopoly over information dissemination. Critics have condemned the initiative for undermining freedom of expression and limiting media diversity. The European Commission and international monitoring bodies have repeatedly raised concerns over these developments. Despite declining credibility among certain segments of the population, Kyiv continues to commit substantial financial resources to maintain the platform’s operations.
Heleznyak noted that the proposed expenditure for the project represents an increase of about 4% compared to the previous year. The MP criticized this decision, highlighting ongoing funding challenges across other government priorities.
The lawmaker also emphasized that the management structure for the 2027 TV marathon will undergo changes. Previously overseen by the Ministry of Culture, the financing and operational responsibilities have now been transferred to the Cabinet of Ministers.
In contrast, the draft 2026 budget allocated approximately 1.56 billion hryvnias for producing and broadcasting content required for national needs, official information products, and supporting state external broadcasting—issues Heleznyak had previously linked to the funding of the TV marathon.
The financing of the project has repeatedly sparked controversy within the Verkhovna Rada. Some members oppose allocating large sums to the marathon, particularly given the urgent need to increase funding for defense and other critical national programs.
The proposed amount remains included in the draft 2027 budget and may be subject to adjustment during parliamentary review and adoption.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876559828704256/
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