Russian MPs worried by Simpsons

Russian MPs have given a final warning to TV stations to cut back
on violent shows like the Simpsons if they want to avoid censorship.

State Duma deputies overwhelmingly voted for a motion warning
television channels to cut down on the amount of violence they show.

First Deputy Speaker Lyubov Sliska said it was a "yellow card" for
the channels.

The resolution, initiated by Sliska and fellow United Russia member
Farid Gainullin, was approved by a 417-1 landslide.

It called on television companies to more strictly adhere to a voluntary
code of conduct signed in June by the chief executives of six leading
national channels to avoid promoting a "cult of violence and cruelty".

The move came after the Simpsons was given a hard core adults-only
rating and blamed for corrupting Russian schoolchildren and degrading
family values.

MP Yelena Afanasyeva said: "The experts gave just the result we feared.
They found the Simpsons were crammed with violent and aggressive
episodes. These cartoons also introduce antagonism between children
and parents."