APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS TO BROADCASTERS AS A LEGAL MECHANISM FOR COUNTERING RUSSIAN INFORMATION AGGRESSION

Abstract

The article, based on the analysis of the applying practice of the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions" to broadcasters, compares the sanctioning mechanism for countering russian aggression with the administrative and legal mechanism provided by the Law of Ukraine "On media." It also examines approaches taken by other democratic countries in developing legal frameworks for holding broadcasters accountable when their activities threaten national security. Based on this analysis, the article evaluates the effectiveness of sanctions as a legal tool for combating russian informational aggression. The study reveals that, during the full-scale invasion, sanctions against broadcasters disseminating prohibited content or operating in the interests of the occupying state have become a vital instrument for countering russian information warfare. These measures allowed the Ukrainian government to halt the broadcasting of hostile media. Initially designed as an instrument of international policy, sanctions later began to be applied by national governments to individuals and legal entities located outside their jurisdiction. In some countries, legislation also permits sanctions against domestic residents whose activities threaten national security. The Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions" provides for the extrajudicial imposition of sanctions not only on foreign entities but also on Ukrainian broadcasters whose actions may align with the aggressor state’s interests. This approach differentiates Ukrainian practice from the laws of countries like Israel and France. Under the Law of Ukraine "On Sanctions," broadcasters harming national security can face swift legal consequences. By contrast, the Law of Ukraine "On Media" introduces preventive measures, such as requirements for ownership transparency, limitations on financing, and restrictions on content, to mitigate potential violations in the media sector. Improvements to media legislation have reduced the reliance on sanctions against Ukrainian broadcasters and fostered a balanced legal framework for addressing external threats propagated through the media.