Putin approves new curbs on media coverage ahead of presidential elections

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the law that governs presidential elections, putting new restrictions on media coverage (Gavriil Grigorov/ Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved changes to the law that governs presidential elections, putting new restrictions on media coverage, local news agencies reported on Tuesday.

The changes come ahead of the election due to be held next March in which Mr Putin, who has ruled Russia for the last 24 years, is expected to seek a new six-year term.