Russian TV news

In Russia, The Consulting Council of Heads of Russia's Protestant Churches have asked the Russian attorney general to cancel channel 2x2's broadcasting license. They also want American shows South Park and Sealab 2021, the UK's Angry Kid, Japan's Ikki Tousen (Russian title Shkol'nye Voyny), and eight other titles banned.

They say these shows promote and glorify "cruelty," "homosexuality," "drug and alcohol use," "platitude," "pedophilia," and an "asocial way of life." Also, that they contain "elements of child pornography" and contribute "to the destruction of public norms and values."

2x2's representatives said that the government, not a religious organization, should initiate any regulations since Russia is a secular country. Director of 2x2 Prof-Media, Yuliya Solovieva, "It would be the same as if atheists were demanding to shut down channels that broadcast religious programming."

Roman Sarkisov, the channel's general director, says 2x2 is aimed at adults, and the titles in question all air after 10:00 pm, "children should be sleeping."

Two months earlier they pulled Happy Tree Friends and The Adventures of Big Jeff after a government warning.