A group of Russian deputies have urged national TV networks to show restraint in broadcasting material about "the forthcoming end of the world," a member of the Russia's LDPR party said on Monday.

      According to an ancient Mayan calendar, December 21, 2012 marks the end of a 5125-year long cycle. The closer the date is the more scary articles and programs appear in Russia's media.

      "We discussed this problem and sent an official letter to executives at Russia's leading TV networks," Mikhail Degtyarev, a representative of the LDPR in Russia's lower house of parliament, said.

      The letter warns TV stations that excessive media hype about the "end of the world" could have negative effects on some people's mental and emotional state, and also stresses that thousands of conmen, pseudo-wizards, self-styled "visionaries" and "snake-oil salesmen" are exploiting it to prey on the gullible.

      The letter also suggests Russian media concentrating on the material which is tended to demythologize the upcoming "apocalypse".