Registration of print media in Ukraine

1. Registration of print mass media in the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council, according to general rules, is voluntary.

2. Section IX of the Law "On Media" specifies that from the moment the Verkhovna Rada recognizes a certain state as an aggressor state or an occupier and within five years from the date of the decision to revoke such status, print mass media are subject to mandatory registration.

That is, registration with the National Council is a mandatory condition for the implementation of activities.

3. Media outlets registered before 31 March 2023 were required to undergo re-registration under the new procedure within one year. If this was not done, the Ministry of Justice registration certificate is considered void. To continue operations, re-registration is required.

What is "print media"?

According to the Law of Ukraine "On Media", print media is media that distributes information in text or visual form on printed media, uniformly designed, published at certain intervals during the year - as the corresponding period approaches or material is accumulated.

If you plan to run an electronic publication, we recommend online media registration.

Who registers print media?

Since March 31, 2023, the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting has been engaged in mass media registration.

Until this date, the registration of print mass media was carried out by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

How is registration of print mass media confirmed?

Confirmation of the registration of print media is the entry of relevant information in the Register of subjects in the field of media.

Registration certificates are no longer issued.

Is there a charge for mass media registration?

Yes, such a payment is 1 subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons on January 1 of the year in which the registration application is submitted. Thus, in 2026, the payment amounts to 3328 uah.

When the printed media can start its activity?

Print media is considered registered, which means that it can start its activity from the day of entering information about this media in the Register of subjects in the media sphere.

What should be decided before registering the mass media?

1. Name of printed media;

2. Type of printed media: newspaper, magazine, collection, bulletin, almanac, calendar, digest, etc.;

3. Periodicity of issue of copies;

4. Territory of distribution of copies: administrative-territorial units within which copies are distributed; territory of Ukraine; the territory outside the state border of Ukraine;

5. The method of distribution of copies: subscription, retail sale, second.

Is it necessary to re-register a print mass media that is already registered with the Ministry of Justice and has a registration certificate?

Yes, such print media outlets were required to complete re-registration by 31 March 2024.

If this was not done, the certificate of registration for the print media outlet lost its validity.

In this case, registration as a print media outlet must be completed again.

What are the mandatory requirements that print media releases must meet?

Entities in the field of print media are obliged to report the following initial data in each issue of print media:

• official or registered name of print media;
• the serial number of the print media release and the date of its publication;
• index of the edition distributed by subscription;
• circulation of the corresponding number of printed media;
• postal address, telephone, e-mail address of the subject;
• identifier of printed media in the Register (when registering such media).

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

Yes, the registrant must, within 10 days, apply to the National Council for changes related to reorganization and/or changes in the ownership structure, as well as any other changes to the Register,

For making changes to the Register, a payment equal to 1 subsistence minimum of able-bodied persons as of January 1 of the year in which the application is submitted is charged.

In case of changes:

• locations;
• contact data (phone, address, e-mail);
• head,

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

There is no charge for making these changes.

Is it possible to cancel the registration of print mass media?

Yes, registration can be canceled. For this, it is necessary to submit an appropriate application to the National Council for Television and Radio Broadcasting.