Russia to ban Simpsons and South Park telegraph.co.uk
The move came as Russia's broadcast watchdog began hearings on whether or not to revoke the license of a cartoon network as punishment for transmitting episodes of South Park, The Simpsons and Family Guy.
The American cartoons, all of which have adult themes, have been fallen foul of recently tightened extremism laws that critics say have been used to muzzle opponents of the Kremlin.
The State Duma, Russia's parliament, said that the frequency given to the 2x2 cartoon channel would instead be given to new government network that "reflects the state position in the area of youth policy".
In place of foreign cartoons, Russia's children would instead watch programmes teaching them patriotism, respect for family values and the importance of sport, the Duma's youth committee said.
The move comes as MPs are also considering the compulsory introduction of patriotism classes in all Russian schools. Under one proposal lessons in Russian literature could be scaled back to find room on the curriculum.
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