----------ASIA-PACIFIC----------
AFGHANISTAN:
Television producer attacked by gunmen; radio journalist assaulted by
police; another journalist detained for a week (IFJ)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88756/


PAKISTAN:
"So-called return to constitutional rule provides legal cover to laws that
muzzle media," says Human Rights Watch
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88880/
- Journalists' union calls for end to anti-media laws as restrictions
continue despite restoration of Constitution (IFJ)
http://www.ifj.org/default.asp?Index=5624&Language=EN
PAKISTAN:
Media regulatory authority threatens ban on live election coverage (IFJ)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88762/


TURKEY:
Court case against writer, editor and magazine owner dropped on
technicality (BIANET)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88881/
TURKEY:
Writer receives 14-month suspended sentence over "Aktüel" magazine article
(BIANET)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88832/
TURKEY:
Trial against singer over critical article continues (BIANET)
http://tinyurl.com/ynvaue
TURKEY:
Hearing postponed in "insult" trial against two journalists (BIANET)
http://tinyurl.com/2g4twq


----------MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA----------
IRAN:
Human Rights Watch calls for release of detained women's rights activists
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/12/17/iran17561.htm
IRAQ:
- President of Kurdish region opposes restrictive new press bill (CPJ)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88887/
- Restrictive press bill passed by Kurdish Parliament, awaits president's
approval (CPJ)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/88761/


JORDAN:
Authorities silence criticism by restricting NGOs, says Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/12/17/jordan17555.htm
SYRIA:
- Wave of arrests against signatories of petition calling for "democratic
change" (RSF)
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/89005/
- Democratic activists arrested as government represses peaceful
expressions of dissent (Human Rights Watch)
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/12/17/syria17556.htm