A group of Iranian journalists has called on the government to lift restrictions imposed on the media after the nation's presidential election, BBC Persian reported.

A statement issued by 180 journalists expressed concern over tensions in the country, adding that government restrictions are preventing them from fullfillinng their professional duty.

The Jordan-based Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) has launched a new campaign for freedom of press awareness on the occasion of the center’s 10th anniversary.

The campaign includes advertisements and articles by CDFJ, published in Jordanian daily and weekly newspapers, magazines and Web sites.

A new media and training center for journalists has recently been launched in Gaza. The Fadhel Shana Center, which honors Palestinian journalist Shana who was killed last year, was launched by the Doha Center for Media Freedom.

Bahraini Information Minister May Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa recetly announced the Bahrain Award for Freedom of Press, which will be awarded on next year's World Press Freedom Day.

The award, which includes a cash prize of US$100,000, aims to encourage creativity among journalists in Bahrain and the Arab world as a whole.