Yakustk journalist fined for "controlling minds"
A Russian journalist has been accused of 'controlling minds' and 'affecting the human subconscious' after referencing George Orwell's 1984 in an article, as twnews.co.uk reported.
Mikhail Romanov, a reporter for the Yakutsk Vecherniy weekly, was writing a story on the alleged torture of an academic.
Police in Russia's republic of Sakha charged Romanov after they suspected him of trying to tap into the readers' sub-conscience, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported.
Mikhail Romanov, a reporter for the Yakutsk Vecherniy weekly, was writing a story on the alleged torture of an academic (stock)
A Russian journalist has been accused of 'controlling minds' and 'affecting the human subconscious' after referencing George Orwell's 1984 (pictured) in an article
Romanov's editor told the publication: 'This is a story about how anyone can be squashed by the government machine.
This is understood to be the first time a journalist will be tried under Russia's new legislation punishing those who are perceived to have published information 'containing hidden insertions affecting the human subconscious. '
The case has been forwarded to a Yakutsk city court.
If found to be in violation of the law, Romanov could have to pay a fine ranging between 2,000 rubles (£25) and 50,000 rubles (£785).
The Russian Union of Journalists argued in favour of the journalist, saying in a statement: 'Even someone without a literary education understands that this was only in reference to George Orwell's "1984".'
he Russian Union of Journalists argued in favour of the journalist, saying in a statement: 'Even someone without a literary education understands that this was only in reference to George Orwell's "1984"'
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