Satisfying the different requirements for different mass media (TV, newspapers, etc.) and other broadcasting structures (cinema, theatres, websites, online stores, VOD, etc.)
Meeting the specific requirements for advertisement content
Being updated on the ongoing development of restrictions due to the current socio-political environment
Being aware of unwritten restrictions (concerning content related to politics, religion, World War II)
Core legal issues
Strong language
Showing tobacco
Drugs and/or drugs promotion
Violence and cruelty
Information on means of committing suicide
Public calls for participation in unapproved meetings
Child protection legislation: proper age labelling, restrictions on broadcast timing.
Children content restrictions, including representation of ‘non-traditional’ (gay) sexual relations
Dissemination and promotion of pornography
Extremism and separatism
Possible targets of the current content legislation?
Producers and rights-holders:
Assessment of the Russian market as a platform for distribution
Cost- and time-efficient adaptation of content in accordance with local requirements and restrictions (mainly language, product placement, and age labelling)
Fulfilment of contractual obligations regarding content with local distributors
Mass media:
Strict restrictions on content distributed via mass media
Recent tightening of legislation on mass media and enforcement practice (restriction of commercials on pay TV, limitation of shares in non-Russian entities and individuals in Russian mass media organisations, etc.)
Two warning letters from the regulatory authority within a year are ground for business termination for a mass media organisation;
Pay TV channels:
Pay TV channels are part of the mass media
From January, 1st, 2015, commercials are prohibited on pay TV
Product placement, cross-promo campaigns and other indirect advertisements on pay TV are considered to be in breach of the law
Cinema and theatres:
Screening movies containing strong language is prohibited in cinemas.
MGAP’s experience includes
Offering legal advice to foreign TV channels to comply with mass media and advertising requirements
Offering legal advice to major Russian production and distribution companies on various issues during the production, promotion and distribution of motion pictures
Offering legal advice to a major US film studio on parental ratings for their motion pictures
Offering legal advice to a popular looped video service with over 45 million users per month on advertising matters.
