Russia's parliament has given initial approval to a tough media law which would allow authorities to close down newspapers for libel. The law is seen by critics as part of growing state pressure against the media.
The lower house, or State Duma, voted 399-one in favour of the amendment to the law in the first of three readings. The proposed amendment would add anti-libel measures to a law banning publication of material seen to encourage terrorism or extremism. Critics say it would be open to abuse by officials who wanted to curb media freedom.
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