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Duma imposes ban on erotic service ads in media

An explanatory note to the bill says many printed media outlets

MOSCOW, July 2 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian State Duma lower house of parliament has passed under the first reading a draft law banning erotic service ads in media, which will be punished with fines.

Amendments will be introduced in the law on mass media. The draft law says these ads in mass media will entail administrative fines for citizens to the amount of 2,500-5,000 roubles, while officials will be penalized to the amount of 5,000 roubles to 10,000 roubles, and legal entities will face fines from 10,000 to 100,000 roubles, it said.

An explanatory note to the bill says many printed media outlets “allow advertisements by private individuals and legal entities as to leisure time management, provision of apartments, saunas, massage, escort services, striptease and other services”. These are in fact disguised erotic service ads, the document said.

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