The Russian Book Union, a union of leading publishers and libraries in Russia, has established an expert center to evaluate books for compliance with the country’s increasingly repressive legislation. The expert center will issue recommendations on individual books, but the final decision on whether to pull the books from sale will remain with the publishers. This move comes amid concerns over Russia’s “LGBT propaganda” law, with one of Russia’s largest publishers, AST, recently suspending sales of books by U.S. authors James Baldwin and Michael Cunningham, as well as Russian writer Vladimir Sorokin, for allegedly containing LGBT propaganda.
The Russian Book Union’s expert center was created in response to fears that publishers and major online distributors would pull books from shelves out of fear of violating Russia’s “LGBT propaganda” law. This move follows AST’s decision to suspend the printing and sale of books by popular anti-war authors Boris Akunin and Dmitry Bykov in December. The expert center includes representatives from various sectors, including state media watchdog Roskomnadzor, state-backed military and historical societies, legal and educational professionals, and faith leaders from Orthodox Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.
The creation of the expert council was discussed by the Russian Book Union and Roskomnadzor in January 2023, with the idea that Russia’s Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media Ministry would oversee the council’s work. The expert center’s recommendations have already had an impact, with AST announcing the suspension of sales for several books deemed to contain “LGBT propaganda.” This move reflects a broader trend of increasing censorship and repression in Russia, with publishers and distributors taking preemptive action to avoid running afoul of the country’s strict laws.
The Russian Book Union’s decision to establish an expert center to evaluate books for compliance with the law raises concerns about freedom of expression and artistic freedom in Russia. Critics argue that the move is part of a broader crackdown on dissent and non-conformity in the country. The involvement of state agencies and religious leaders in the expert center further raises questions about the independence and impartiality of the evaluation process, with fears that censorship may be used to suppress diverse voices and perspectives in Russian literature.
The suspension of sales of books by prominent authors like James Baldwin and Vladimir Sorokin highlights the challenges faced by publishers and writers in navigating Russia’s restrictive legal environment. The fear of running afoul of laws prohibiting “LGBT propaganda” has led to self-censorship and preemptive actions by publishers, raising concerns about the impact on artistic expression and intellectual freedom in Russia. The Russian Book Union’s decision to create the expert center is a significant development in the ongoing debate over censorship and freedom of speech in the country.
In summary, the establishment of the expert center by the Russian Book Union represents a troubling development in the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression in Russia. The involvement of state agencies and religious leaders in evaluating books raises concerns about censorship and the suppression of diverse voices in Russian literature. The suspension of sales of books deemed to contain “LGBT propaganda” reflects a broader trend of increasing repression and censorship in the country, with publishers and distributors taking preemptive action to avoid legal repercussions. The decision to create the expert center has sparked debate over the implications for artistic freedom and intellectual diversity in Russia’s literary landscape.
