"According to The Moscow Times, independent Russian-language news outlet first reported on the charges against streamers, including Kinopoisk, Wink, Ivi, Amediteka, 24TV, Digital Television, and Beeline TV, earlier this week. Public records reportedly did not specify the content on the platforms that allegedly violates the law. But as The Moscow Times notes, at least one executive, Digital Television program director Alexei Bernat, has been charged with "subjecting" minors to "LGBTQ+ propaganda.""
"Under Russian law, so-called LGBTQ+ "propaganda" has been banned in the presence of minors since 2013. In late 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation expanding the 2013 law to effectively outlaw any public expression of LGBTQ+ life in the country. And in 2023, Russia's Supreme Court declared the "international LGBT social movement" an "extremist organization.""
"The charges against Russian streaming platforms coincide with what out Russian-born journalist Mikhail Zygar describes as the "extraordinary success" of Canadian gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry in the country. In a recent piece for Vanity Fair, Zygar reported that the series has an 8.6 rating on Russia's equivalent of Rotten Tomatoes - a higher rating than both Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad, the platform's two most-watched shows."
Authorities charged executives at several leading Russian streaming services, naming Kinopoisk, Wink, Ivi, Amediteka, 24TV, Digital Television, and Beeline TV. Public records did not specify the exact content alleged to violate the law, though Digital Television program director Alexei Bernat was charged with "subjecting" minors to "LGBTQ+ propaganda." Several executives have been fined previously for promoting "non-traditional" relationships and lifestyles. Russian law banned LGBTQ+ "propaganda" near minors in 2013, was expanded in 2022 to curb public expression of LGBTQ+ life, and in 2023 the Supreme Court labeled the "international LGBT social movement" an "extremist organization." The charges coincide with strong Russian viewership for the Canadian gay romance series Heated Rivalry.
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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