Crimea shuts down Ukrainian TV channel and turn over their frequencies for the broadcasts of Russian TV programs

An association of broadcasters based in Ukraine’s capital Kiev said an armed group and Russian state-run television officials went to a transmitting station in Crimea’s main city of Simferopol on Thursday.

They reportedly terminated the broadcasting of Ukrainian TV programs and switched to the Russian state-run channel.

A Ukrainian station whose programs were cancelled said it was notified by the pro-Russian Crimea Autonomous Republic that Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov had ordered the blocking of Ukrainian TV channels.
The Ukrainian broadcaster lodged a strong protest, accusing Crimean leaders of ignoring the people’s right to freedom of expression and democratic values.

Observers say the blocking of Ukrainian TV programs is part of efforts by Crimean leaders to control information ahead of the March 16th referendum on whether the region should leave Ukraine and join Russia.

Source: NHK