Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to retain the communications portfolio for himself in his new government is causing concern in the Israeli media.

The prime minister also prompted anxiety when it emerged that the coalition agreements contained a clause regarding media legislation.

One of the issues that ruined trust between Mr Netanyahu and his previous coalition partners was their vote in favour of the "Yisrael Hayom law". The law would have forced Yisrael Hayom, a paper owned by US casino mogul and Netanyahu supporter Sheldon Adelson, to charge a cover price.

By contrast, all parties in the current coalition have committed themselves to only supporting media legislation that is approved by the government.

All three main TV channels in Israel are facing licensing and structural reforms, and the prime minister's involvement in pushing new media laws could pressure them not to broadcast damaging reports. Mr Netanyahu's dismissal on Sunday of the current Communications Ministry director-general, Avi Berger, hardly dispelled fear.