The parliamentary newspaper Holos Ukrayiny (Voice of Ukraine) will cease to exist as a media outlet on 1 April. It will only publish official documents - laws and resolutions adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, Serhiy Demskyy, acting director of the newspaper, has told Detector Media.
He explained that this is due to the entry into force of the new law "On media".
"Until 31 March 2024, the Holos Ukrayiny newspaper is published as a print media outlet, as well as an official print publication, on the basis of a state registration certificate... After 31 March, the newspaper's editorial office cannot produce print media without state registration. And we won't be able to get it, because [by law] we have to become an official print media outlet," Demskyy said.
The newspaper currently employs 80 people, including 58 journalists. Half of the staff will have to be laid off, and some journalists will have to move to other positions.
"Holos Ukrayiny has been published since 1 January 1991, five times a week from Tuesday to Saturday. The largest circulation in its history was 800,000, and now it is 3,600. For more than 20 years, the newspaper was headed by Anatoliy Horlov, who died in January 2023.
From April 2024, there will be no creative staff left in the Holos Ukrayiny editorial office, and they will be laid off. The staff trade union will also cease to function.