It seems that Russian officials have finally learned to see the difference between erotica and pornography. A draft law “Restricting the Distribution of Erotic and Pornographic Products” gives the previously non-existent [in Russia] legal definition of pornography and limits the circulation of pornographic products.
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The document, prepared by the Ministry for Culture and Mass Communications, defines pornography as a detailed naturalistic image, a verbal description or a demonstration of a sexual intercourse and genitals with a view to arouse sexual excitement of a human being.
Erotica was defined as “the demonstration of sexual relations between humans, which do not contain elements of pornography.” Educational and medical works, as well as works of scientific and artistic value are not to be classified as either erotic or pornographic products, the draft law says.
The document also put forward a suggestion to ban the sale of pornography with the participation of underage, deceased individuals and animals. The bill excludes violence, as well as state symbols and architectural monuments from pornography-containing products.
Any other kind of pornographic production would be available in specialized stores, the activities of which should be licensed.
As for mass media, the bill allows to broadcast erotic and pornographic programs from 1:00 till 5:00 a.m. All kinds of pornography will be excluded from the Russian Internet. The publication or a pornographic material may leads to the punishment of up to six years in prison. At present moment, pornography is legally allowed on the Russian Internet with the exception of child porn, which stipulates the punishment of up to eight years in prison.
The bill currently undergoes coordination at the government.
Experts say that the new law follows the example of foreign countries regulating the public access to pornography. The novelty is aimed to make the products of adult content less accessible for underage people.
On the other hand, the existence of the world wide web makes such efforts pointless. About 92 percent of online surfers search the web for adult materials.
In the United States, a 1969 Supreme Court decision which held that people could view whatever they wished in the privacy of their own homes, STANLEY v. GEORGIA, 394 U.S. 557 (1969), caused Congress to fund and President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint a commission to study pornography.
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