A Kremlin official dismissed as unconstitutional on Friday a proposal to establish a committee to monitor journalists' compliance with "moral norms."
The proposal was put forward by a group of prominent Russian cultural figures including Oscar-winning film director Nikita Mikhalkov.
"The idea of introducing censorship - for that is what this is - is against the constitution and does not fit in with the development path that our country has taken," said the official, who wished to remain anonymous.
The proposal has sparked angry reactions from journalists and bloggers. Editor-in-chief of the Moskovsky Komsomolets daily Pavel Gusev described it as a "talentless idea," which contradicts Russian media laws.
The Kremlin official said the media should be "restricted not by censorship, but by the country's civil society."
MOSCOW, May 27 (RIA Novosti)
