One of the Israeli government's press advisers, Eva Berger, has resigned because she claims journalistic freedom is being eroded.

Berger, a member of the government press office's advisory council (GPO), said: "The council's objective is to grant its approval of an old wrong, in the guise of democracy - and I will not lend my hand to this."

She linked her resignation to government proposals that many see as restricting freedom of expression and creating obstacles to press freedom.

They include measures that will make it easier for politicians to sue the media for libel and to block foreign funding for left-wing non-profit groups.

Berger, dean of the school of media studies at the college of management in Rishon Letzion, has urged fellow council members to consider whether the GPO should be involved in determining who is, and is not, a journalist.

The council issues press passes and thereby determines who is eligible to receive them.

Berger also protested at the involvement of security forces in assessing applicants' eligibility for government-approved press passes.

This issue came to light when journalists for Arab-language media outlets revealed that they were having difficulty securing press passes.

"To put this decision in the hands of the security establishment is to add insult to injury," said Berger.