MOSCOW, February 16 (RAPSI) – The State Duma Committee for Constitutional Legislation recommended that the lower house adopt a bill proposing a fine of up to 1 million rubles (over $15,000) for mass media accused of inciting violence and terrorism, RIA Novosti reported on Monday.

Mass media will be held responsible for producing and disseminating products that encourage or justify terrorism, products that encourage or justify extremism, as well as materials that promote acts of violence and cruelty, according to the bill.

Initially, the authors of the bill proposed tougher penalties for the dissemination, production or storage of extremist materials on the federal list. It is expected that this provision will be removed before the bill reaches the second reading.