Ukrainian channels forced off cable in Crimea

Crimean cable operators have switched off Ukrainian channels following armed intervention by pro-Russian separatist forces in the region, according to Ukrainian national channel 1+1.

According to the channel, citing what it said was a reliable source, cable operators in Crimea have been forced to disable the broadcasting of Ukrainian channels.

The move follows the shutting down of 1+1’s broadcast signal in the region on March 6 on the orders of the new separatist administration in the region. According to 1+1, its broadcast frequency was taken over by Russian national channel Channel One. The channel remained available on cable until yesterday.

Last week Ukrainian broadcasters joined together to send an open letter to their leading Russian counterparts appealing for “open, balanced and objective coverage” of the crisis.