Oh my god, Russian prosecutors to kill Kenny!
Published 13 September, 2008, 17:46
Russian prosecutors have accused the controversial cartoon series ‘South Park’ of extremism. But the Russian station that broadcasts it says attempts to ban the series are only making it more popular with Russian viewers. South Park has withstood a lot of criticism ever since its debut. Now its taking on Russian prosecutors.
“Experts who looked at the episode aired on January 9, 2008 concluded the material contained signs of extremism,” Prosecutor, Daria Tarantsova stated.
The episode in question is Cartoon Wars pt. 2. In it, the FOX Channel angers the Muslim world by attempting to air a cartoon image of Mohammed. And so the notorious gang of four has fallen foul of a law against extremism and igniting religious hatred.
One Russian Pentecostal church has also taken offense over – Mr Hankey’s Chrtismas Classics featuring Satan and Hitler signing Christmas songs.
Konstantin Bendas a Pentecostal Church member says its time to pull the series off the air. “We, along with many other citizens, want the broadcasting of these immoral, sadistic cartoons which debauch our children and teenagers stopped.”
On Saturday dozens gathered in Moscow to show their support for the controversial TV programme in rally approved by the city authorities. Chanting “Don't touch South Park”, the protesters objected to attempts by authorities to ban the cartoon series in Russia.
Not for children
The critisizm is aimed at Russian channel 2x2 – the only channel in the world that broadcasts South Park alongside the Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Wallace & Gromit and many others: cartoons 24 /7, though not necessarily for kids. It faces loosing its license if prosecutors are successful.
“Children will never understand these series. It’s another cultural code. Primitive animation – but an ingenious idea. To understand it one has to be an adult, and an educated one to follow all the references,” Roman Sarkisov, 2X2 Chief Executive believes.
Ilya Zavilov – a 21 year old economist and an ardent South Park fan – is a part of their audience.
“The reason why it’s so popular with the adults – it poses questions that are hard to answer in a vulgar way – but that’s their language. It airs late in the evening. If a kid is not asleep then, he can see things much worse on other Russian channels. I don’t think it'll harm him more than the criminal reports,” he says.
Ilya has been watching the series ever since the first episode. The Pentecostals hope not for much longer.
The General prosecutors office has already called the Russian Media Watchdog in an attempt to revoke the channel's license.
The statement on their website says: “The channel violates the law on the protection of children’s moral and psychological development…risks developing panic and a neurotic condition among children.”
Other programmes considered particularly ‘unhealthy’ include The Simpsons.
“We will set a precedent. When a civil society insists on the banning of a cartoon, it is banned. Banned for broadcasting, import and distribution,” Bendas says.
The management of 2x2 sees another reason for their actions.
“Frequency! They need our frequency. They’ve been digging stuff up on us for a long time. They do not ask us questions, do not send us their conclusions so that we can evaluate them,” Sarkisov says.
Ironically polls show the ratings go up the more criticism there is. The War over the alleged Cartoon extremists will soon move to a court, which will have to decide whether their humour is just close-to-the-bone or close to an end.
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