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'{{Short description|Ukrainian TV channel}} {{Infobox television channel | name = 112 Ukraine | logo = Logo 112 Ukraine.svg | logo_size = 200px | logo_caption = | logo_alt = | image = | established = | airdate = | launch_date = 5 August 2006 | closed_date = 20 March 2022 | picture_format = [[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])<br />(downscaled to [[letterboxed]] [[576i]] for [[SDTV]]) | network = | owner = [[Taras Kozak]]<ref name="epravda643588"/> | parent = | motto = | country = Ukraine | language = Ukrainian, Russian | area = | affiliates = | headquarters = | former_names = | replaced = | replaced_by = | sister_channels = | timeshift_service = | website = {{URL|112ua.tv}} }} '''112 Ukraine''' ({{lang-uk|112 Україна}}) was a private Ukrainian TV channel which provided 24-hour news coverage. 112 Ukraine was available on satellites [[Amos (satellite)|AMOS 2/3]], via the [[DVB T2|DVB-T2]] network, and was also available in packages of all major Ukrainian cable operators until it was banned from broadcasting in Ukraine in February 2021.<ref name="3183110zelenskij">[https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-television-stations-sanctions-putin/31083423.html Ukraine Sanctions 'Russian Trojan Horse' Media Assets Associated With Putin Friend], [[Radio Free Europe]] (3 February 2021)<br />{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/3183110-zelenskij-na-pat-rokiv-vviv-sankcii-proti-soratnika-medvedcuka-ta-jogo-telekanaliv.html Zelensky imposed sanctions on Medvedchuk's ally and his TV channels for five years], [[Ukrinform]] (2 February 2021)</ref> The channel was focused on live broadcasting. It was reportedly affiliated with the [[Russophilia|pro-Russian]] politician and businessman [[Viktor Medvedchuk]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10231749-pro-putin-politician-medvedchuk-gains-control-over-112-ukraine-tv-channel-media.html|title=Pro-Putin politician Medvedchuk gains control over 112 Ukraine TV channel|date=2018-08-21|work=[[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]]|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opinionua.com/en/2019/07/11/112-ukraine-will-broadcast-a-film-about-civil-conflict-the-main-characters-medvedchuk-and-putin/|title=Opinion {{!}} 112 Ukraine will broadcast a film about "civil conflict", the main characters – Medvedchuk and Putin|date=2019-07-11|website=Opinion UA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-05|archive-date=2020-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814013625/https://opinionua.com/en/2019/07/11/112-ukraine-will-broadcast-a-film-about-civil-conflict-the-main-characters-medvedchuk-and-putin/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Since December 2018, the channel has been owned by [[Taras Kozak]], a [[People's Deputy of Ukraine|parliament member]] of [[Opposition Platform — For Life]]<ref name="ukr.vote/en/persons/7259">{{Cite web|url=https://ukr.vote/en/persons/7259|title=Електоральна пам'ять|website=ukr.vote}}</ref> who is reportedly an associate of Medvedchuk.<ref name="epravda643588">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2018/12/14/643588/ Comrade Medvedchuk became the owner of "112 Ukraine" TV channel], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (14 December 2018)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rpr.org.ua/en/news/we-call-on-the-prevention-of-the-creeping-occupation-of-the-media-space-by-russia-a-statement-by-former-zik-employees-mediarukh-and-ngos/|title=We call on the prevention of the creeping Occupation of the media space by Russia. A statement by former ZIK employees, Mediarukh and NGOs|date=2019-07-05|website=Reanimation Package of Reforms Coalition|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> The broadcasting of the channel was prohibited on 2 February 2021 by the [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine]] as part of the imposed sanctions on Kozak.<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> The channel was immediately shut down but continued to [[livestream]] its content on the [[Internet]].<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> On 5 March 2021, [[YouTube]] blocked the live broadcasts of the channel.<ref name="7285709112Ukraine">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/03/5/7285709/ Youtube blocked the broadcast of Medvedchuk's channel], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (5 March 2021)</ref> ==History of the channel== 112 Ukraine was launched within 4 months of its conception, starting from concept development, equipment supply and office space design up to programming and business optimization solutions. On 26 November 2013, the presentation of 112 Ukraine took place, and on 28 November 2013, the new TV channel appeared on Ukrainian screens.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://mediananny.com/reportazhi/2302315/|title = "112-Украина". Полный разгул демократии|date = November 27, 2013 |publisher = Mediananny}}</ref> In August 2014, the channel opened a correspondence bureau in [[Brussels]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mediabusiness.com.ua/content/view/40415/126/lang,ru/|title = Channel "112 Ukraine" opened a news bureau in Brussels|date = August 8, 2014|publisher = Mediabusiness|access-date = May 18, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150618154412/http://www.mediabusiness.com.ua/content/view/40415/126/lang,ru/|archive-date = June 18, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref> It later organized live linkups with Crimea, Moscow, Vilnius and Lviv. During the first informal July 2014 meeting with 112 Ukraine representatives, Head and Deputies of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Council claimed that “112 Ukraine” owner Andrey Podschypkov is a nominal owner, despite documentary proofs. National Council representatives stated that the real owner is one of the former Ministers of the Viktor Yanukovych cabinet, and refused to renew the programming concept of five regional stations owned by 112 Ukraine. In 2015, 112 Ukraine received a notice from the National Council for remarks by Russian journalist [[Maksim Shevchenko (journalist)|Maksim Shevchenko]], who was interviewed in the studio via Skype during a "Shuster LIVE" talk-show.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/251501.html|title = TV council sends warning to 112 Ukraine TV channel for infringements during Shuster Live show |date = February 19, 2015 |publisher = Interfax-Ukraine }}</ref> The president of the [[European Federation of Journalists]] stated in February 2015 that the threat of closure targeting 112 Ukraine seemed clearly disproportionate.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.ifj.org/nc/news-single-view/backpid/1/article/ifj-backs-ukraine-russian-dialogue-to-counter-harassment-and-intimidation-of-journalists/|title =IFJ Backs Ukraine Russian Dialogue to Counter Harassment and Intimidation of Journalists |date =February 27, 2015|publisher = International Federation of Journalists }}</ref> In December 2018, [[People's Deputy of Ukraine|member of parliament]] for [[Opposition Bloc]] [[Taras Kozak]], who was later reelected for [[Opposition Platform — For Life]] in [[2019 Ukrainian parliamentary election|2019]],<ref name="ukr.vote/en/persons/7259"/> acquired the channel and all six TV channels in the "112 Ukraine" group.<ref name="epravda643588"/> On 13 July 2019, an unidentified assailant fired a grenade at the 112 Ukraine offices in Kyiv, causing damage to the building.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kyiv office of 112 Ukraine TV channel attacked from grenade launcher (Photo, video) |url=https://www.unian.info/society/10616439-kyiv-office-of-112-ukraine-tv-channel-attacked-from-grenade-launcher-photo-video.html |access-date=21 December 2020 |work=Unian Information Agency |date=13 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine investigates grenade attack on Kiev TV station |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-investigates-grenade-attack-on-kiev-tv-station-235589 |access-date=21 December 2020 |work=WION |date=13 July 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In late May 2021, 112 Ukraine received a fine of ₴100,000 for broadcasting [[Petro Symonenko]]'s claim that the [[War in Donbas]] was a "[[civil war]]" initiated by "[[Ukrainian nationalists]] and [[neo-fascists]] supported by the United States". Symonenko is the First Secretary of the [[Communist Party of Ukraine]] (KPU), a pro-Russian party that was banned in 2015.<ref>{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2021/05/27/7295120/ Natsrada fined "112 Ukraine", "NASH" and NEWSONE for hate speech and Azarov on air], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (27 May 2021)</ref> ===Closure=== On 2 February 2021, the [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine]] officially prohibited the channel's broadcasts as part of imposed sanctions on 112 Ukraine owner [[Taras Kozak]].<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> The reason given for the sanctions against him was that according to the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] investigation, Kozak controlled coal mines supply scheme from parts of the [[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk Oblast|Luhansk]] regions [[War in Donbass|not under government control]] contributed to the financing of terrorism.<ref name="7285709112Ukraine"/> As part of these sanctions, the channel was forbidden to broadcast in Ukraine.<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> The channel was immediately shut down, although later it moved to Internet livestreaming.<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> [[President of Ukraine|Ukrainian President]] [[Volodymyr Zelensky]] stated that the ban had been a difficult decision and that Ukraine supported [[freedom of speech in Ukraine|freedom of speech]], but not "propaganda financed by the [[Russo-Ukrainian War|aggressor country]]."<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> Adviser of the [[Office of the President of Ukraine]] Mykhailo Podolyak stated on Ukrainian media that the channel, as well as fellow banned TV channels owned by Kozak ({{ill|NewsOne (Ukraine)|uk|NewsOne}} and {{ill|ZIK (Ukraine)|uk|ZIK (телеканал)}}), were “quite actively and often openly used as tools of foreign [[propaganda]] in Ukraine.”<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> In a joint statement with NewsOne and ZiK, 112 Ukraine commented on its ban, calling it "a political reprisal against objectionable media."<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> Russian [[Federation Council (Russia)|Senator]] for [[United Russia]] [[Aleksey Pushkov]] claimed that "By shutting down opposition television channels, Zelensky acknowledged his inability to withstand political competition."<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> In a written statement, a spokesperson for the [[European Union]]'s [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy|Foreign Affairs High Representative]] [[Josep Borrell]] stated "while Ukraine's efforts to protect its territorial integrity and national security, as well as to defend itself from information manipulation are legitimate", it added that "any measures taken should be proportional to the aim".<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-questions-ukrainian-sanctions-tv-stations-medvedchuk-zelenskiy/31084591.html EU Questions Ukrainian President's Sanctions On TV Stations], [[Radio Free Europe]] (3 February 2021)</ref> The [[Embassy of the United States, Kyiv|U.S. Embassy in Ukraine]] said on 3 February that "the United States supports Ukraine’s efforts yesterday to counter Russia’s malign influence, in line with Ukrainian law, in defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity."<ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3183734-us-supports-ukraines-efforts-to-counter-russian-disinformation-embassy.html U.S. supports Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian disinformation – embassy], [[Ukrinform]] (3 February 2020)</ref> Following the ban on their channels, journalists from 112 Ukraine, NewsOne and ZIK established another TV channel, entitled "The First Independent TV Channel" ({{lang-uk|"Першого незалежного"}}), which was shut down an hour after it launched.<ref name="7285709112Ukraine"/> On 5 March 2021, [[YouTube]] blocked 112 Ukraine's live broadcasts, although it did not take any action against "The First Independent TV Channel".<ref name="7285709112Ukraine"/> ==Structure and coverage== Prior to its February 2021 ban,<ref name="3183110zelenskij"/> 112 Ukraine covered 75% of the territory of Ukraine. The channel was available in the packages of the largest Ukrainian cable operators, and is also broadcast via the DVB-T2 network and AMOS 2/3 satellites. 112 Ukraine operated on one satellite license and five regional digital licenses, which were united by a joint venture agreement. The satellite license for 112 Ukraine was issued on 22 August 2013. The companies with digital licenses were merged with the companies of 112 Ukraine on 16 August 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://112team.com/en/112|title=Ukraine channel broadcasts live with much lower budgets, but at the same high level as the market giants: Deutsche Welle (Germany) – 12 hours live broadcasts per day, NHK World (Japan) – 12 hours, CNN (USA) – 20 hours, BBC World News - 20 hours.}}{{Dead link|date=May 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A study as performed at the Policy Institute at [[King's College London]] to evaluate the spread of misinformation from Russian state media such as [[RT (TV network)|RT]] and [[Sputnik (news agency)|Sputnik]] into international media, including British tabloids like ''The Daily Mail'' and Ukrainian Russian-language media including 112 Ukraine. The study found that Russian media often took reporting from Ukrainian sources and repackaged it. However, it found no general evidence of the reverse. This result was replicated when closer analysis was performed on two specific news stories, with in one case "no instances of content from RT, RIA or TASS being replicated on the Ukrainian sites, but multiple instances of Russian sites using Ukrainian content to report on the parade," and in another the only Russia-to-Ukraine transfer coming from a long quotation.<ref>{{cite report |first1= Gordon |last1=Ramsay| first2=Sam |last2=Robertshaw |title=Weaponising news: RT, Sputnik and targeted disinformation |url=https://www.kcl.ac.uk/policy-institute/research-analysis/weaponising-news |publisher=Policy Institute at [[King's College London]] |date=2019 }}</ref> The site [[EUvsDisinfo]] has highlighted a small number of specific articles on the 112.international and 112.ua websites as promoting pro-Russian talking points. A fake blog post accusing the Ukrainian military as "lazy" was highlighted on in the English-language 112.international,<ref>{{cite web |title=US lieutenant colonel shocked by drunkenness and laziness of Ukraine's soldiers |url=https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/pending-check-us-lieutenant-colonel-shocked-by-drunkenness-and-laziness-of-the-soldiers-of-armed-forces-of-ukraine/ |website=[[EUvsDisinfo]]}}</ref> as well as an interview in which the interviewee claimed that Kyiv aimed to sabotage peace in Donbas.<ref>{{cite web |title=The government in Kyiv is sabotaging peace in Donbas |url=https://euvsdisinfo.eu/report/government-in-kyiv-is-sabotaging-peaceful-settlement-in-donbas/ |website=[[EUvsDisinfo]]}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} {{Television in Ukraine}} [[Category:2013 establishments in Ukraine]] [[Category:2021 disestablishments in Ukraine]] [[Category:Defunct television stations in Ukraine]] [[Category:Ukrainian-language television stations in Ukraine]] [[Category:24-hour television news channels in Ukraine]] [[Category:Censorship in Ukraine]]'