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SECTION II. UKRAINE. HOME AFFAIRS

RADA TAKES CONTROVERSIAL STAND AGAINST PORN

Parliament on Nov. 20 decided that it would try to succeed
where others have failed, passing a bill that attempts to define
and limit pornography. Not surprisingly, free speech advocates
and the arts community promptly panned the decision.
The bill was initially rejected on Nov. 18, but resurfaced and was
adopted with minor amendments on Nov. 20. It has been sent to
President Leonid Kuchma for his signature.
If signed into law, the legislation would be enforced by a
national commission of experts appointed by the government. It
would require publications with erotic or sexual content or
advertising to be distributed in opaque packaging. Under this
provision, popular large-circulation newspapers like Fakty, which
run nude photographs as a regular feature, would need to be
shrink-wrapped in black plastic. Newspapers and magazines
carrying advertising for escort services, including the Kyiv Post,
may be similarly affected.
In addition, products containing sexual content could only be
distributed in locations licensed by the commission and that are
located more than 500 meters from schools, historical and
cultural monuments and churches - a rule that would eliminate a
large portion of the country's thousands of newsstands.
Television stations would be compelled to air films the
commission considered pornographic between the hours of 11 p.m.
and 6 a.m.
The bill's stated goal is to establish a legal basis for protecting
society from products that "negatively influence public
morality, but its language is often vague and the text provides
few details.

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