The Verkhovna Rada is proposing fines of up to 170,000 hryvnias for playing Russian music
A bill has been introduced in the Verkhovna Rada that would ban Russian-language music in the service sector and significantly increase penalties for violations. The bill is currently under consideration by parliament.
The ban will apply to cafes, restaurants, stores, and other establishments where background music is played. It pertains to the performance and playback of songs, recorded music, videos, and music videos in the language of a country that the Verkhovna Rada has recognized as an aggressor state.
The bill provides for fines ranging from 8,500 to 17,000 hryvnias for a first violation, from 17,000 to 85,000 hryvnias for a repeat violation within a year, and from 85,000 to 170,000 hryvnias for a third and each subsequent violation. They propose that the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language be responsible for monitoring compliance with these requirements.
The authors of the bill explain the initiative as a necessary step to limit Russia’s cultural and economic influence, since, in their view, the public use of Russian-language music could generate revenue for Russian rights holders.
Source: Verkhovna Rada draft law.
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