Russia expands censorship and social controls with new laws
President Vladimir Putin signed multiple laws on a Monday, including measures that tighten restrictions on LGBT propaganda. Reports from TASS outline amendments to the Federal Law On Information, Information Technologies and Protection of Information. The changes ban LGBT propaganda across social networks, media, cinema, and advertising.
As described by the publication, films that promote nontraditional sexual relationships or preferences will struggle to obtain lease certificates. The new rules also expand protections for minors. A separate prohibition targets the dissemination of LGBT content to young people. Previously the restriction covered information about LGBT individuals; now it also addresses broader access. Officials plan to implement age verification measures in paid services so that children must enter codes or take other steps to view or listen to LGBT material, according to the agency.
In another move, Putin approved a law that introduces large fines for LGBT propaganda, pedophilia, and gender reassignment content. Roskomnadzor may add sources containing these materials to a unified list of prohibited information for blocking. It will become unlawful to sell goods, including imports, where dissemination could lead to administrative or criminal liability.
Publishers had warned that vague language could threaten a significant portion of the Russian book market. Oleg Novikov, head of the Eksmo-AST publishing group, pointed out risks to roughly half of titles, mentioning works by Viktor Pelevin, Pyotr Tchaikovsky biographies, and other literature as examples of books potentially impacted.
Where gatherings are restricted
Another set of measures expands the list of places where rallies, marches, and demonstrations are prohibited. The new rules cover buildings of public institutions and nearby areas, airports, train and bus stations, ports, universities, schools, hospitals, and the lands surrounding these facilities, as well as life support zones adjacent to critical infrastructure.
Previously, demonstrations were banned near the residences of the President, courts, emergency services, and Federal Penitentiary Service facilities. The updated law gives regions the option to add their own restrictions. If regional characteristics such as historical or cultural factors justify it, the list can be extended, according to DEA News.
Living wages and child benefits
The law also sets a 2023 living wage at 14,375 rubles. The subsistence minimum is calculated with inflation in mind. For the healthy population the figure is 15,669 rubles, for pensioners 12,363 rubles, and for children 13,944 rubles. The new framework includes additional monthly allowances for families with children under three, with payments drawn from maternity capital and structured to reach minimum subsistence levels. Families whose average per capita income does not exceed twice the subsistence minimum may apply for these payments.
In addition, the legislation enables the use of maternity capital to cover educational services for children without submitting formal agreements to the Pension Fund of Russia. An agreement on information exchange between educational institutions and regional bodies of the pension fund is sufficient to access the service, according to the text. The law notes that families can apply through the fund for the appropriate assistance.
For 2023, maternal capital amounts are set at 589.5 thousand rubles for the first child and 779 thousand rubles for the second child. These figures reflect the government’s ongoing adjustments to family support measures and social subsidies.