Russian Court Rejects Father’s Lawsuit Against Russian Network For Broadcast of US Shows

Judge Lyobov Dednyova of Khamnoviki District Court has ruled against Igor Smykov, a Moscow father who had claimed that the American cartoon shows The Simpsons and The Family Guy were tending to corrupt children. Smykow had filed a lawsuit against RenTV, the broadcaster of the shows, in 2002. Mr. Smykov said his son Konstantin’s awareness of cocaine came from watching the two series. The judge issued her decision after watching a marathon session of episodes of the shows. A account of the proceeding written by Francesca Mereu and Carl Schreck indicates that some observers believe the lawsuit might have been motivated by an attempt to pressure RenTV, which often carries criticism of the Russian government. See also short coverage here by the New York Post and from Reality TV World here providing the UPI coverage of the story.