Russia: New federal law prohibits audiovisual works discrediting traditional spiritual and moral values (Legal Research Note, March 2026)

Factual legal note on Russia's Federal Law No. 324-FZ (signed 31 July 2025, effective 1 March 2026), which prohibits audiovisual works discrediting "traditional Russian spiritual and moral values." Covers legislative architecture (amendments to Federal Laws 149-FZ and 126-FZ), enforcement mechanism (Ministry of Culture Orders No. 2110 and No. 2503, Roskomnadzor 24-hour takedown obligation), first documented certificate denial (Nuremberg, 4 March 2026) following the law's entry into force, implications for European audiovisual co-productions and film distribution, and comparative context (Hungary Act LXXIX/2021, China Film Industry Promotion Law 2017). Grounded in Russian-language primary legal sources (pravo.gov.ru, consultant.ru, garant.ru) and European precedents.