“In simple terms it’s called censorship” – Kommersant FM

The State Duma proposes to oblige cultural venues to coordinate their repertoire with local authorities. According to deputies, this is necessary in order to eradicate so-called antisocial content. However, the authors of the idea emphasize that this will not be easy. The problem is the lack of criteria and qualified experts who will decide the fate of exhibitions and theatrical productions. Kommersant FM political commentator Dmitry Drize believes that such innovations are not necessary.

The head of the State Duma Committee on Culture, Elena Yampolskaya, stated the need to put an end to the freedom of the so-called cultural venues, since they allow uncontrolled sedition and other abominations. Here, for example, from the last one: the exhibition “Ogonyok” was held at the Winzavod Center for Contemporary Art. It’s even scary to imagine: the artist depicted “faces distorted by various emotions, similar to masks” on top of the covers of the famous Soviet magazine. Fortunately, the public intervened, and together they stopped all this disgrace.

And others even tried to show a performance based on the play by foreign agent Viktor Shenderovich. This, you know, doesn’t fit into any gates.

What to do? Let these very platforms notify the relevant body of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation about their plans and repertoire. This is necessary, in particular, in order not to worry the public, otherwise they are constantly indignant, and this is very bad, because our caring government cannot but react when someone is worried about something.

Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova does not object to such an initiative. But there is a problem – this authorized body needs to be staffed with specialists, and not ordinary ones, but so that they can figure out where there is sedition and where the work is useful for citizens. Enemies are cunning and know how to mislead. It seems, at first glance, that the play is innocent, but in reality it is a disgrace and even worse – politics. Yes, the task is difficult: we have countless subjects of the federation, and, as we understand, it is easier for an official to ban than to sort it out.

Our people should not be completely deprived of access to culture and art. Then the effect will be exactly the opposite: darkness and ignorance will come, this cannot be allowed.

In simple terms, this is called censorship, although, of course, one can replace this term from the past with the more euphonious word “expertise” and, accordingly, “experts”. Moreover, there is no such profession today – censor. In order to return it, we need to somehow prepare the appropriate personnel. We will have to formulate criteria and issue circulars, but this is a big job that cannot be accomplished in one day. Okay, we have formed this mechanism, but what do you tell the public to do? She may be out of work. And what should she do? Should I get up to the machine?

It looks like you shouldn’t change much, it’s a costly affair. As for the freemen, whether she exists or not, this is a debatable question. So it may seem that there is nothing left to fight with.

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