A New Stage of Censorship: Russians to Be Fined for Films
russia is preparing to introduce fines for distributing films that allegedly “discredit traditional values.” Lawmakers plan to submit the draft bill to the state duma soon.
▫️The initiative imposes financial liability on audiovisual services and even social media platforms. This means fines could affect not only businesses but also private individuals.
▫️The lack of clear criteria for what constitutes “discrediting traditional values” gives the authorities a universal censorship tool: any film or series that does not fit the state-imposed ideological narrative could be banned.
Moreover, this repressive approach fosters self-censorship. Platforms may preemptively remove content to avoid fines, and viewers may refrain from watching or sharing “risky” films.
