[WiP]
About
The Russian Anti-Meme Law is a law in Russia which forbids memes showing public figures, like President Vladimir Putin, in a way that contrasts with their personality. The law when it was first made public in April 2015, was met with critical acclaim shortly after and quickly became a topic of mock on the internet.
Background
In April 2015, Russia’s three-year-old media agency/Internet censor Roskomnadzor announced that Russia had made it illegal to publish any Internet meme that depicts a public figure in a way that has nothing to do with his “personality.”[1][7]
Notable Developments
[Researching]
Following the announcement, many believed one cause of the law was the high popularity of Russia’s current president, Vladimir Putin, on the internet and in memes. As a result of this, many people on the Western web and Western Social Media started to post and share memetic images featuring Putin.
Search Interest
External References
[1]Daily News – Russia outlaws memes showing public figures in ways that contrast their ‘personality’
[2]Huffington Post – Russia Outlaws Celebrity Memes. Yes, Really.
[3]Dailymail UK – Really, Mr. Putin? Even HITLER suspended Germany’s anti-gay laws during the 1936 Olympics, but Russia won’t do the same for next year
[4]Techdirt – Latest Russian Censorship Move: Banning Internet Memes Using Photos Of Celebrities
[5]Circanews – Russia bans unflattering Internet memes of public figures
[6]Business Standard – Russia makes internet memes depicting public figures illegal
[7]Chicago Tribune – Russia just made a ton of Internet memes illegal