Registration of online-media

1. On March 31, 2023, the new Law "On Media" entered into force, which repealed the Law "On Information Agencies", as a result, such a form of activity as "information agencies" ceased to exist;
2. Within one year, information agencies wishing to retain their state registration were required to determine their form of activity and complete re-registration in accordance with the new law. If this was not done, the registration certificate issued by the Ministry of Justice is considered void.
   To resume operations, the agency must undergo the registration process again as an online-media.
3. The closest form of activity to the Information Agency in terms of content is currently registered online media.
4. Registration of online media takes place at the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting. Such registration is voluntary.
5. Advantages of state registration for online media:

• official media status for the resource;
• guarantees regarding accreditation and professional activity provided for by the law "On Media";
• the opportunity to participate in tenders and activities of joint regulatory bodies;
• in case of violations, a more liberal approach to the application of sanctions.

What is "online media"?

Online media is media that regularly distributes information in text, audio, audiovisual or other form in electronic (digital) form using the Internet on its own website.

If you plan to publish a printed publication, we recommend that you pay attention to mass media registration.

Is state registration mandatory for online media?

Registration of entities in the field of online media is voluntary and is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Law "On Media".

However, if such a media plans, for example, to participate in tenders, registration is mandatory.

What are the requirements for registered online media?

Registered entities in the field of online media are obliged to publish and regularly update on their website (in their online profile) the following raw data:

1. official (registered) name of online media;
2. postal address, telephone, e-mail address of the subject;
3. online media identifier in the Registry.

Is there a registration fee for online media?

Yes, such a fee is 1 subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as of January 1 of the year in which the application for registration is submitted. Thus, in 2024, the payment will amount to 3028 uah.

Is an information agency required to re-register in order to maintain its status as a registered media outlet?

Yes, information agencies were required to re-register as online media by 31 March 2024. After this deadline, certificates of state registration of information agencies as entities of information activity became invalid.

If you did not apply for the re-registration of your information agency by 31 March 2024, you must undergo the registration process again as an online media outlet and pay the state fee.

What do you need to decide before registering online media?

Before submitting an application for online media registration, you need to decide on:

1. by the name of online media;
2. type of online media;
3. IP address or range of IP addresses from which the service is distributed;
4. domain names under which the media will be available on the Internet (with an indication of the registrants of the respective domain names (in the case of natural persons - surname, first name and (if available) patronymic, citizenship, information about the place of residence or place of stay, in the case of legal entities - identification data);
5. territory of service provision.

Is it possible to make changes to the Register of subjects in the field of media?

Yes, the registrant is obliged to apply to the National Council within 10 days with an application for changes related to reorganization and/or changes in the ownership structure, as well as in case of any other changes to the Register,

For making changes to the Register, a fee is charged in the amount of 1 subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons as of January 1 of the year in which the application is submitted. In 2026, the fee is 3328 uah.

In case of changes:

• location;
• contact data (phone, address, e-mail);
• manager,

the registrant shall notify the National Council of such changes within five working days by sending information indicating the changes that have occurred.

There is no charge for making these changes.

Is it possible to unregister online media?

Yes, it is possible to cancel the registration. For this, it is necessary to submit a corresponding application to the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting.