Putin Outlaws Profanity In Media

Russian President Vladimir Putin took some take away from his Ukrainian activities on Monday (May 5th) to sign a law that bans the use of profanity in movies, TV theaters and the media.

Bloggers with over 3,000 daily page views will also be subject to the profanity ban, and books with swear words will be required to carry a warning label.

Fines for violations will be $1,400 for organizations and $70 for individuals.

The BBC reports that the law, quote, "harks back to the conservatism of the Soviet period, when the Communist Party required artists and writers to avoid 'decadent' Western fashions and to stick to traditional values."

Additionally, the Wall Street Journal states, "The legislation is the latest in a flurry of bills tightening control over freedom of speech and the Internet as well as toughening punishments for terrorism and extremism."