In 2023, Roskomnadzor prepared a substantial set of administrative protocols related to audiovisual content that depicted LGBT themes, totaling 47 cases. This information comes from an interview cited by TASS with Maria Bychkova, a recognized expert in mass communications and head of the analytical work department at Roskomnadzor. Bychkova noted that the overall value of fines tied to these protocols reached 29.2 million rubles, and that 1.2 million rubles of the penalties were connected specifically to the promotion or support of LGBT content. These findings were reported with reference to the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.
According to Bychkova, editors and founders of various media outlets received two formal warnings for alleged violations connected to concerns about media freedom in relation to LGBT topics, and one additional warning was issued for the portrayal of LGBT individuals in the media. This sequence underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny over how LGBT topics are presented in public media under the applicable rules.
The legal backdrop continues to influence media conduct. A law banning LGBT propaganda among Russians of all ages took effect on December 5, 2022, shaping the regulatory environment in which audiovisual services operate. This legislative context has framed how content is reviewed, labeled, and sometimes restricted in order to align with the stated national policy.
On November 30, the Supreme Court of Russia moved to restrict the activities of the organization known as the International LGBT Movement, which had been designated as extremist. The proceedings were held with limited attendance for security and procedural reasons, and the Ministry of Justice participated in the courtroom proceedings. Reporters were allowed to listen to the verdict as it was announced, while the Kremlin refrained from providing comment on the ruling.
In a separate note, previous remarks by Dmitry Koldun discussed the status of payments related to a prior project, indicating that Drobysh did not receive funds as promised after the show Star Factory. This detail reflects ongoing concerns and disputes within the entertainment community about financial agreements connected to public figures and their media ventures.