While the strength of the writing and research varies by chapter, New Media and the New Middle East adds valuable data to a field where usage statistics and baseline information about audiences and advertising are virtually non-existent, says Book Reviews Editor Courtney C. Radsch.

Why was 2007 one of the deadliest years for Middle East reporters since World War II? Publisher and Co-Editor Lawrence Pintak looks back at a year of troubling trends for journalism in the region.

BBC Monitoring Text of report in English by Thai newspaper The Nation website on 16 January Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont admitted Wednesday [16 January] that his government is still in the dark about the leasing of a satellite channel by Thaicom to the Hezbollah-backed television channel al-Manar. Surayud said his …

BBC Monitoring Text of report by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat website on 15 January [Report by Muhammad Salah: "Race for Protest Against Bush's Visit"] Egyptian media outlets did not show much interest in following up President George Bush's tour of the region, or even information on the issues that he will …

BBC Monitoring Text of report by Hamas-backed newspaper Filistin website on 15 January [Report by Hadil Atallah: "Abu-Hashish: Abu-Khawsah's admission gives Filastin and the families of Al-Ishi and Abdu to institute legal proceedings against him"] Dr Hasan Abu-Hashish, director of the government media office and Information Ministry under secretary in …

Jennifer Peterson tracks how traditional Sufi poetry is mixed and remixed into contemporary dance music heard widely on the streets of Cairo. Features video and audio examples.

Co-Editor Walter Armbrust puts anti-Americanism in Egyptian comedy in historical and comparative perspective, arguing that current U.S. public diplomacy efforts can do little to change prevailing anti-American sentiments. (Features Video)

BBC Monitoring The United States Treasury Department announced on 9 January that it was to blacklist the Iraqi Al-Zawraa satellite TV channel, which it alleged was "fuelling" insurgent activity in Iraq. The Treasury also blacklisted the station's owner Mishan al-Juburi, the former Iraqi MP and leader of the Sunni Front …

BBC Monitoring By Saeed Barzin of BBC Monitoring on 10 January It is not yet clear what happened when Iranian Revolution Guards speedboats intercepted US naval vessels near the southern Iranian coast on 6 January. Iran and the US have both released short edited videos of the incident but their …

BBC Monitoring Text of report by Saudi-owned leading pan-Arab daily Al-Sharq al-Awsat website on 10 January [Report by Isam Fadl, from Cairo: "Bush's Scheduled Visit to Egypt Ignites Disputes Within the Journalists Association"] The scheduled visit by US President George Bush to Egypt has ignited disputes within the new council …