State Duma introduces fine up to 1 mln rub for online audiovisual services for redistribution of unregistered media
MOSCOW. Nov 21 (Interfax) - The State Duma passed on Thursday in the third and final reading a bill introducing a fine of up to 1 million rubles for audiovisual services such as YouTube for repeat distribution of television channels which have not been registered as media outlets in Russia.
The fine is added to the Code of Administrative Offenses for repeat "distribution of a television channel or a television program which have not been registered as mass media by an owner of an audiovisual service, or distribution of a television channel or a television program registered as mass media after the decision to stop or suspend broadcasting of the television channel or the television program was made, in accordance with established procedure."
Individuals are to be fined from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles, officials from 100,000 to 200,000 rubles, and legal entities from 700,000 to 1 million rubles.
At present, citizens can be fined from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, officials from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles, and legal entities from 500,000 to 700,000 rubles. There are currently no increased fines for repeat violations.
In accordance with the passed bill, owners of audiovisual services are also to be fined up to 1 million rubles for redistribution of information harmful to children from telecommunication providers.
The provision on the fine for repeat "violation by an owner of an audiovisual service of the established procedure for distributing among children information posing harm to their health and/or development" is to be added to the Code of Administrative Offenses.
The amendments envisage fines to be imposed on citizens in the amount from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles, officials from 50,000 to 100,000 rubles, and legal entities from 500,000 to 1 million rubles.
At present, the fine imposed on citizens is from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, officials from 30,000 to 50,000 rubles, and legal entities from 300,000 to 500,000 rubles. There are currently no increased fines for repeat violations.