British MPs have urged the government to consider banning the Russian animated series Masha and the Bear from being shown in the UK, The Guardian reports. A letter making the request was sent to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. It was signed by a group of MPs from several parties.
The authors of the appeal argue that the animated series may be an instrument of Russian “soft power” and contains “unveiled propaganda content.” As an example, they pointed to episodes in which the main character appears in headwear resembling Soviet military uniforms and the uniforms of Soviet border troops.
The MPs also cited Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation and statements by Estonia’s foreign minister, who had previously described Masha and the Bear as an element of Russian “soft power.”
Animaccord, the studio behind the series, rejected the accusations. A company representative said the show has spent nearly 20 years telling stories about friendship, kindness, and imagination, contains no political messages, and has never been state-funded.
The UK Department for Culture declined to comment. Government sources said decisions on broadcasting such programs are made by the broadcasters themselves, provided they comply with the rules of the media regulator Ofcom.
The series is available on the ITVX platform. Netflix previously renewed its license to show it and acquired two new seasons for more than 100 countries.
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