According to numerous sources, the TV channels Channel 5 and TV 1+1 have been disabled in Crimea.
The press service of Channel 5 confirmed that there is currently no broadcasting throughout the territory of the autonomous republic. Earlier it was reported that the Russian TV channel Russia 24 had usurped the radio frequencies of Crimea’s largest broadcasting company, Black Sea Broadcasting. Additionally, the publication Telekritika reports that the state television and radio company Krym in Simferopol has been surrounded by a few dozen unarmed people in camouflage uniforms.
This information was also confirmed by Krym CEO Stepan Hulevatiy. At present nobody is allowed to enter Krym premises, he said. Unknown people have barred bus entry and are allowing entry to employees only. According to Hulevatiy, the people who surrounded the company refuse all communication and are not clarifying their demands. At first nobody was allowed to enter, but now only employees are allowed inside. “I called the police, but so far no one has come,” said Hulevatiy.
The Broadcasting, Radio, and Television Communications Concern reported that armed individuals and representatives of Russia TV have captured the radio and television broadcasting company in Simferopol and turned off Channel 5 and TV 1+1.
Their website carried the following announcement:
“On March 6, 2014, at 10:00, armed men and representatives of Russia TV entered the Radio and Television Broadcasting Center of Crimea in Simferopol,” the announcement says. “These armed men, in violation of the laws of Ukraine, turned off the broadcasting of Channel 5 and TV 1+1 and turned on the TV signal from Russia 24 on the Black Sea Broadcasting chain of transmitters, and are now illegally attempting to turn on other Russian channels. [We believe] such actions represent a flagrant violation of Ukrainian laws and international standards. We emphasize that in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the laws of Ukraine are in effect regardless of the recognition or non-recognition of any government in Ukraine,” the announcement states.
Source: http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/6/7017872/
Translated by Anna Mostovych, edited by Robin Rohrback
