The heads of six leading Russian TV channels signed a charter Against Violence and Cruelty Tuesday in the lower house of the Russian parliament.

The charter calls on mass media to prevent damage to public morals and dissemination of cynical and offensive information and materials which promote violence.

The TV channel executives said mass media should not be used for extremist activities, promotion of violence and cruelty, or dissemination of information on drug abuse.

The TV officials told Russia's official Novosti news agency electronic media should acknowledge their special social responsibility for the observation of children's rights.

That includes protection of their right to information inflicting no damage on their physical and mental health.

TV channels should present news that allows free formation of opinions to help prepare children for an independent life in society, they said.