MIP monitoring mission: Novoaidar residents are looking forward to the planned construction of a new TV tower by MIP

The monitoring mission of the Ministry of Information Policy of Ukraine has visited Novoaidar of  Luhansk region, which is a centre of the area with one of the longest parts of the demarcation line on its territory.

Advisor to the Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine, MP of Ukraine Oleksandr Brygynets has analysed the situation with access to Ukrainian broadcasters of local residents.

According to him, reception of the Ukrainian TV channels in the town has been improved, however, still there are some problems. Some channels (e.g. "1 + 1") have normal broadcast quality, but other channels (e.g. "The First National") have a worse one. Unfortunately, a signal of regional TV channel "LOT" is absolutely unstable; this channel is very important for locals as it broadcasts local news.

At the same time, there is a strong signal of occupation channels coming from Luhansk, toward which antennas are traditionally configurated.

According to Oleksandr Brygynets, the complexity of the Ukrainian broadcasters' signal reception is caused by its broadcast coming from different spots, while occupational and collaborationist TV channels are broadcasted from one location.

"There is no doubt, locals have the opportunity to watch Ukrainian TV channels but the situation will significantly change with the appearance of new TV tower, which is planned to be constructed upon the initiative of the Ministry of information policy near the demarcation line. This TV tower will increase the number of Ukrainian TV channels, enhance their quality, as well as provide the opportunity to watch all Ukrainian TV channels through reception from one antenna," said Oleksandr Brygynets.

Advisor to the Minister of Information Policy noted that local residents asked to block Russian and collaborationist TV channels, which, according to them, openly insult not only Ukrainian state in general, but also local residents in particular.

"Fortunately, the topic of physical blocking of illegal occupation broadcasting is discussed more and more often not only among locals and experts, but also in the  Verkhovna Rada and among  military and security forces," emphasized Oleksandr Brygynets.