A new censorship law restricting the publication, sale and distribution of erotic and pornographic materials is being drafted by the Ministries of Justice, Internal Affairs and Security, a Russian newspaper reported.


The ministries did not offer a definition of pornography or erotica.


Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported Tuesday that the Justice Ministry wants to create a commission of experts to mete out judgments on what it considers to be pornographic.


In the United States, the debate over what constitutes pornography has been a controversial issue for decades, igniting unresolved arguments between the press, the private sector and the judicial branch of government.


The newspaper said that the government does not want to encroach upon the freedom of the press, and would encourage editorial boards and the new commission to strike accords on what is considered pornographic.


The proposed law would specify where pornographic material could be sold and prohibit the sale of erotic products to anyone younger than 16.


Violation of the new law would be punishable by confiscation of goods, closure of video salons and fines ranging between 15, 000 and 50, 000 rubles.