Translated To English From Izvestia.ru
State Duma deputy Yevgeny Fyodorov (“United Russia”) is preparing a draft law on amendments to the Administrative Code, Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, as well as laws to combat terrorism and extremism. According to the author regulation, the amendments relate to the establishment of administrative and criminal liability for media executives, “which allow publication of false anti-Russian information, provide information and support to extremist anti-Russian separatist forces, including the reflection of events beyond the borders of Russia.”
The reason for the development of the bill are publications in the Russian media, in which the authors, according to the MP, admitted incorrect historical analogies and interpretation of events in Russia and the Ukraine coup.
– I want to amend the Criminal Code and Administrative Code and the law on combating extremism and terrorism. Essence of the amendments is that the number of crimes against the state included a deliberate deception audience media professionals aimed at supporting terrorism, intervention, separatism and genocide – Fedorov said. – Fall within the responsibility will not ordinary journalists, managers and editors who allowed the publication. If MIA sees that some media persistently delivers a lie, then they have a right to investigate and determine the causes of lies.
New criminal provisions on the recognition of anti-Russian publications state crime, according to the legislator, should appear in the 10th section of the Criminal Code, “Crimes against the state”, in which, among other things, contains articles about espionage, treason, armed rebellion and the famous Art. 282 of inciting hatred or enmity, as well as humiliation of human dignity. Terms of the new criminal charges will be worked out during the discussion of the document in the lower house of parliament.
– In Ukraine, there was a coup. With no one argues. But the result was the emergence of his usurper – Acting President of Ukraine. Officially, this post is not even provided. But when media solutions for addressing issues usurper Ukrainian state – is a deliberate deception – said United Russia. – That is, if you admit that it is a coup, then the result – an illegitimate power and decisions taken by – this is not the solution state. Next question: Is it stupidity or is it a conscious state aiding criminals? So this will be the subject of proceedings for investigators.
United Russia Fedorov wrote earlier draft media law – foreign agents for example adopted in summer 2012 law on non-profit organizations. The bill, which continues refinement, MP offers to recognize foreign agents those publications that receive foreign investment.
First deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology and Communications Vadim Dengin (LDPR) supported the idea of the law on the liability of the media for “anti-state” of the publication, but drew attention to the fact that in its preparation is very important to avoid the possibility of double interpretation of the provisions of the document and not encounter with existing legislation analogues of these rules. However, the MP noted that reliance on law enforcement, which result in the adoption of the law will have the right to carry out checks on the media was excluded because there are many obvious examples of media who regularly operate in this mode, and it is they who are the first to fall under the verification.
– I think the fear of this law stands doubtful publications funded from abroad who are permanently abandoned this procedure for any reason. And also very important to check for the presence of internet web materials subject to the rules of law, regardless of whether registered sites with this information in Russia or abroad. You’ve got to meet and discuss Roscomnadzor – said the deputy.
Journalist and head of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on International Relations and Freedom of Conscience Nikolai Svanidze considered the initiative “another attempt to shut our parliamentarians media mouth”, comparing with the freedom of speech in Russia, guaranteed the 29th article of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, with shagreen leather, which is constantly decreases.
– The fact that intent lies that thing for legislators decided to take offense, is impossible to prove. But the intention may be different if the publication has taken such a move for the sake of citation, and he was credited with promoting a coup, it would be extremely unfair, – he said.
Since the beginning of this year there was already two major scandal with the Russian media, which lawmakers accused of anti-Russian actions. The first scandal happened with the TV channel “Rain”, who asked the audience a question: “Do I have to pass Leningrad Nazis to save thousands of lives?” Legislators have seen in this poll and Nazi propaganda and denigration of its history. The second major scandal occurred with the publication of Victor Shenderovich site “Echo of Moscow” on the topic of the Sochi Olympics. In his text, the author compared the Olympic champion figure skater Yulia Lipnitskaya with German champion Berlin Olympics in 1936 shot putter Hans Welke, which became a symbol of Nazi Germany
RIELPOLITIK 