MOSCOW, May 7 (RAPSI) - Russian telecom regulator Roskomnadzor intends to strengthen oversight of the use of foul language by the media, according to a statement released by the agency on its website on Tuesday.

The move came as a response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signing of a law that bans swearing in films and on TV.

Roskomnadzor’s officials have decided to focus on tracking such violations and bringing them to light by instructing the heads of its regional departments to assume personal control over the fight against the use of strong language by the media. The bill, greenlighted by the Federation Council in late April, bans obscene language from TV and radio broadcasts, films and public art performances. If profane language is used in a film, it could be denied a distribution license.

The bill also bans the distribution of audiovisual products and audio recordings containing foul language, except for media publications, without special packaging and the warning label “contains explicit language.” Violations of these provisions will be subject to the same fines as for the use of foul language.

Individuals failing to comply with this new law could face fines ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 rubles ($56-$70), officials would be fined 4,000-5,000 rubles ($110-$140), and businesses would have to pay 40,000-50,000 rubles ($1,100-$1,400), while repeated offenses would lead to even higher fines. Independent expert reviews are expected to be carried out to determine what qualifies as obscene language.