He said this on Espreso TV channel.
Koshel emphasized that during the war, the authorities adopted a flawed information policy. By holding a single telethon, the audience of Telegram channels and TV channels became equal, and a large percentage of Ukrainians received information from anonymous social media channels, posing significant risks of information sabotage. Koshel argued that the government made an exceptional mistake by conducting all TV channels in the format of a single marathon and closing three channels (Espreso, Pryamyi, and Channel 5).
The head of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine noted that an information vacuum leads to the emergence of alternative information sources.
He pointed out that numerous channels appeared on Telegram, informing in real-time about the distribution of subpoenas. Although the SBU reported eliminating several dozen channels, dozens more continued to operate. Law enforcement officials claimed that the FSB created these channels, a typical feature of Russian special services. As a result, Ukraine inadvertently provided access to its information space to enemy structures. Koshel emphasized that this is a mistake in the authorities' information strategy, which must be rectified immediately.
On April 4, Espreso, Pryamyi and Channel 5 were removed from the broadcast. TV channels addressed the president, the National Security Council, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense and the National Council on Television and Radio Broadcasting with letters regarding the situation. The TV channels demand that the broadcasting be resumed.
The Resuscitation Package of Reforms Coalition condemned the shutdown of the Ukrainian TV channels Espreso, Pryamyi, and Channel 5.