The Just Russia – For Truth party engaged with experts who proposed reforms to cultural regulation that reflect traditional values. The plan outlines a new model of state oversight for the culture sector, placing writers at the center of attention rather than maintaining a liberal stance of minimal intervention in creative work, a shift described by Kommersant as a reorientation of policy toward creative content.
The development of the recommendations for tightening legal rules in culture, while honoring traditional spiritual and moral values of the peoples of the Russian Federation, was conducted by researchers connected to the Russian State Social University. The project followed a tender awarded in 2023 with a budget of 1 million rubles, signaling a formal process to shape policy in this area .
Earlier, party leader Sergei Mironov argued that Russians have spent decades being compelled to adopt foreign values and discouraged from thinking differently from Western norms. After February 24, 2022, he asserted, the global landscape shifted, creating space for changes in politics, economics, and culture. The party has stated its aim to pursue cultural sovereignty as a guiding objective .
Among the initiatives mentioned by Mironov is the creation of a state ideology and the revival of screening and censorship mechanisms. He proposed five minute public forums during prime-time television to explain cultural values to viewers. He noted that although many people fear the term censorship, a recent VTsIOM survey indicated that a majority of citizens view the concept with relative calm and acceptance .
The proposal also calls for a stronger focus on literature within the legal framework governing culture and urges the Ministry of Culture to be the primary institution overseeing writers and the literary process. The MP described writing as a distinctive profession and suggested forming literature workers in each district to educate and transmit these values to both young people and adults. He invited writers to take roles in this new system and to receive corresponding salaries as part of a reform package .
Notably, author Nick Perumov, who previously spent 25 years living in the United States, is cited as supporting the SVO in this context. The discourse reflects a broader emphasis on aligning cultural policy with national priorities and sovereignty concerns while signaling a concrete plan to involve literary figures in public life and education .
These developments illustrate a strategic pivot in cultural governance, one that emphasizes strong state involvement, a formal framework for cultural values, and institutional roles for writers and literature. The approach aims to anchor cultural life in traditional values and national identity, positioning culture as a pillar of national resilience and political sovereignty in the current global climate .
Observers note that the proposals connect cultural policy with broader political objectives, including the revival of state-led cultural institutions and the redefinition of what counts as acceptable public discourse in the arts. The critical question remains how such changes would affect creative freedom, artistic experimentation, and international cultural exchange, while proponents argue that clear guidelines can coexist with vibrant artistic work and public engagement .
In examining the practical steps, the plan indicates creating district-level roles for literature workers who would communicate values, support literacy initiatives, and collaborate with schools and community programs. The envisioned framework seeks to formalize the status of writers within the cultural economy and provide compensation aligned with the responsibilities of shaping public cultural life. These measures would sit alongside the proposed state ideological framework and its enforcement mechanisms, forming a cohesive policy ecosystem .
Critics may question how such measures balance national identity with academic freedom and the rights of creators. Supporters argue that a robust cultural policy can protect heritage while guiding young audiences toward shared values and a sense of belonging in a diverse society. The debate underscores the role of policy in shaping not only what is produced but how audiences interpret and value cultural expressions .