Russian Federation

[RU] Restrictions on exhibition of movies

IRIS 2014-6:1/32

Andrei Richter

Comenius University (Bratislava)

President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed the Federal Statute of the Russian Federation aimed at banning swear words in public on 5 May 2014. In particular, it makes amendments to the Federal Statute “On State Support for Cinematography of the Russian Federation” (О государственной поддержке кинематографии Российской Федерации) (see IRIS 2010-2/32).

Swearing in films, plays and concerts is prohibited. A similar measure was passed in April 2013 as an amendment to Article 4 of the Statute “On the Mass media”, announcing that swearing in the mass media presents an abuse of freedom of the media that may lead to the closure of the media outlet (see also IRIS 2014-5/31).

In addition, the newly signed Federal Statute adds to the Federal Statute “On State Support for Cinematography of the Russian Federation” sweeping restrictions in the general regulation of exhibition of movies, no matter whether they apply for such state support or not. It adds an article that introduces on the statutory level the need to obtain an exhibition certificate before public airing of foreign, national and co-produced movies in Russia. Earlier the legal ground for such certificates was a governmental decree N 396 adopted on 28 April 1993 and aimed to fight piracy.

A new article introduces a general ban on exhibition of movies that “contain materials, that violate legislation of the Russian Federation on counteraction to terrorism and extremism, contain information on means, methods of development and production of narcotics, psychotropic substances, and their precursors, materials that propagate pornography, cult of violence and cruelty, contain hidden inserts and other technical means of dissemination of information that makes an effect on subconscious of people and (or) affecting their health.”

Exhibition certificates issued earlier remain valid only if they correspond to the new provisions.

Amendments to the Administrative Code made by the same statute envision that violation of the ban on swearing incurs penalties of up to 2,500 roubles (EUR 50) for individuals and up to 50,000 roubles for companies and organizations. Violation of the new restrictions on exhibition incurs fines from 50,000 to 100,000 roubles.

In December 2013, the Institute of Russian Language at the Russian Academy of Sciences compiled a list of four words and their derivatives that constitute swearing. Two depict male and female reproductive organs, one describes the process of copulation and the last refers to a promiscuous woman.

The amendments enter into force on 1 July 2014.