Reaction test

The Ministry of Culture is still searching for the boundaries between erotica and pornography

The Ministry of Culture, apparently, is not yet going to force the introduction of stricter measures to control the spread of erotica in Russia. The corresponding law, prepared by the department, is now being approved by the government. But, as Minister of Culture and Mass Communications Alexander Sokolov said yesterday, “the need for public discussion about this bill has not yet been completely exhausted.” “It’s very important not to make mistakes. Here we need to resolve the issue consistently,” says Mr. Sokolov, who claims that he does not intend to jump “two steps.”

It is noteworthy that the minister’s current caution contrasts with previous statements by representatives of the department, who have been complaining for quite some time about the lack of a clear legislative framework that would allow them to launch an offensive against those who neglect the rules of public morality. Many documents concerning this “piquant” topic were adopted, but in reality they did not work. Largely due to the vagueness of the concepts of “erotica” and “pornography” and, consequently, the inability to clearly define the boundaries of the prohibition. It was the Ministry of Culture that initiated the development of the bill “On restricting the circulation of materials of an erotic and pornographic nature,” which has now reached the approval stage.

Now Mr. Sokolov calls the bill only “a kind of test for reaction.” According to the minister, it is necessary not only to continue the public discussion, but also to understand what exactly “pornography” and “erotica” are and how these concepts differ. The head of the Ministry of Culture explained yesterday that not only his subordinates, but also their colleagues around the world cannot develop “clear definitions of the concept of “pornography.” “The very history of culture and art shows that at every stage the boundaries of concepts change,” he explained.

In addition, Alexander Sokolov, apparently, realistically assesses his own prospects as head of the Ministry of Culture and is not yet inclined to share forecasts about whether his initiative will be supported by the cabinet of ministers, which will certainly undergo changes after the presidential elections. “The government is working until May, and it is not my right to promise what the next team will do,” he noted.

Another question is that not only the Ministry of Culture is trying to show concern for the morality of Russians. Among the newly elected State Duma deputies there were already those willing to join the fight against pornography and erotica. Let us recall that in early February United Russia member Robert Schlegel introduced a bill prohibiting reading erotic magazines in public places. For such a violation, Mr. Schlegel suggests that police officers collect fines from citizens in the amount of five hundred to one thousand rubles. At the same time, erotic images should not be visible even on the cover - the bill, which will be considered by deputies in April, requires that magazines illustrated in this way be sold only in opaque packaging.

Kirill MELNIKOV