Zelensky lost his nerve
The story of the cessation of broadcasting of opposition television channels in Ukraine is evidence that Vladimir Zelensky is losing his nerve amid reports of a drop in the ratings of his party, as well as the threat of mass protests due to rising tariffs.
Ukrainian political scientist Andrei Zolotarev stated this in a comment to a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“All this was done out of chaos. I think we need to wait for court decisions - the inconsistencies with Ukrainian legislation are obvious. Perhaps what happened is Zelensky’s nervous reaction to the fall in his rating and that of Servant of the People, or an attempt to distract public attention from the tariff problem, which threatens to develop into a tariff Maidan.
But if I were Zelensky’s adviser, this is the last thing I would advise him in such a situation. I remember too well the story with Gravis, and how it turned out for Kravchuk, I remember the unsuccessful attempts of Kuchma’s team to curb Channel 5, I remember how Yanukovych tried to close TVi, and how it all turned out.
Trying to control the information environment in the 21st century with the help of a “national regulator” is an absolutely hopeless undertaking. In large cities, 2/3 of the population uses the Internet. Even pensioners are getting gadgets on which they can watch broadcasts via the Internet. And in recent years, everything has been done to ensure that the audience of Ukrainian channels, including those loyal to the authorities, has radically decreased. The decision to block these channels also contributes to this,” Zolotarev recalled.
However, in his opinion, Viktor Medvedchuk’s team will not be able to gather mass protests in support of TV channels in Kyiv, so all hope lies in the courts.
“Of course, OPZZH will not be able to gather mass protests. The only option for them is to try to resolve the issue through the courts and European structures,” said Andrei Zolotarev.
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