Russia may ban swearing in films and music

People who swear in public could reportedly be fined of up to £42

The Russian parliament has reportedly taken steps towards banning swearing in public, including in films and music.

The bill, passed in Moscow’s lower house, would impose fines for swearing in films, plays, concerts and shows, and could be enforced as soon as 1 July, the BBC reported via the Itar-Tass news agency.

Those who swear in public could be punished with a fine of up to 2,500 roubles (£42), while officials would have to pay double.

What is classed as swearing will be decided upon by a committee. The measure will then be considered by the Government’s upper house, and if approved, signed by President Vladimir Putin.

The bill comes after the private Russian TVC channel was criticised for censoring the word hrenovina, meaning ‘nonsense’, from classic 1979 Soviet film Garage, the BBC reported.

The film's director, Eldar Ryazanov, said that the decision to ‘bleep’ out the word was “an act of idiocy”.

A separate law which restricts the use of profanities in the media has been in force since last April. The measure sees journalists facing up to 3,000 rouble (£62) fines, while media outlets can be made to pay up to 200,000 roubles (£4,150), if they break the rules.