The State Special Communications Service explained why it switched off the Espresso, Pryamiy and Channel 5 TV channels from digital broadcasting in pursuance of the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) of Ukraine to broadcast the joint marathon.

This was stated in response to a request from Detector Media, which was submitted on May 9.

Detector Media asked who specifically decided to turn off the digital broadcast of the three channels and what was the motivation behind this decision. The State Special Service referred to the decision of the National Security Council of March 18 that in a state of martial law there will be a single information policy — a joint telethon "United News". In the first days of the war, Espresso, Pryamiy and Channel 5 did not broadcast a joint marathon, but continued to broadcast their own content in a form of an information marathon, but soon began making inserts from the marathon.

"The concern is implementing this decision: on all available broadcasting frequencies, in accordance with the established broadcasting schedule, the telethon "United News " is being broadcast," the State Special Communications Service said in response.

Earlier, the head of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, stated that there was no closure of the canals and suggested that they return to the marathon.

On Monday, April 4, Espresso, Pryamiy and Channel 5 TV channels stated in an open letter that the Broadcasting, Radio and Television Concern had switched off their broadcasting. After disconnection from digital broadcasting, the broadcast continues on the Internet, satellite, OTT platforms and cable networks. Channel reporters said the decision was made by the Presidentʼs Office. They consider it illegal, because "there is no document that would give grounds for the RRT concern to disconnect TV channels from broadcasting at night." Journalists demand that speech be resumed immediately.

The National Broadcasting Council did not publish any decision. President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Office have not yet responded to the statement.