'Israel' passes privatization bill that could close public broadcaster

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
24 Nov 2024 20:49

Critics have denounced the proposed legislation as a direct threat to "Israel's" so-called democratic values, particularly freedom of the press.

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Headquarters of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, 26 June 2023. (Wikicommons)

A controversial bill supported by the Israeli Ministerial Committee on Legislation could lead to the privatization—and potential shutdown—of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), sparking widespread criticism from legal experts, media watchdogs, and press freedom advocates.

According to Israeli news sources, the private member's bill sponsored by Likud MK Tally Gotliv mandates the privatization of the IPBC, which operates the Kan public broadcaster and Reshet Bet radio, within two years. If no buyer is found during this period, the IPBC will be shut down.

Communications Minister Shlomi Karhi previously advanced identical legislation, aligning with efforts by members of the fascist coalition to overhaul the media landscape.

Proponents of the bill argue that privatizing the IPBC would foster competition in the media sector and reduce its reliance on what they call an "extremely high" government budget.

In the bill's explanatory notes, Gotliv stated that the broadcaster's current output fails to justify its public funding, advocating for private ownership as a more efficient model.

Concerns Over Democratic Principles

Critics have denounced the proposed legislation as a direct threat to "Israel's" so-called "democratic values," particularly freedom of the press.

The Attorney General's Office expressed strong reservations in a letter to Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who chairs the Ministerial Committee on Legislation.

The letter warned that advancing such sweeping legislation through a private member's bill circumvents rigorous examination by ministerial professionals and sets a dangerous precedent.

The Attorney General's Office further cautioned that the bill sends a "clear and serious" message that "criticism of the government or broadcast of content that is not favorable to the government may lead to measures against the media and their restriction".

This, it argued, undermines the independence of the press—a cornerstone of any democracy.

Tight budget

This development comes amidst "Israel's" escalating spending to sustain its multifront war on Lebanon and Gaza. This surge in military expenditure has necessitated substantial budgetary adjustments, leading to tighter government spending across various sectors.

The revised 2024 budget totals 582 billion shekels, marking an increase of 70 billion shekels from the original allocation. Consequently, the budget deficit is projected to widen to 6.6% of GDP, up from the previously targeted 2.25%.

To manage the expanded deficit, the regime has implemented austerity measures, including across-the-board cuts of approximately 3% to various ministries.
The measures aim to reallocate resources toward defense needs but have raised concerns about potential adverse effects on public services and social programs.

The increased defense spending and associated budgetary constraints are expected to influence "Israel's" economic growth. The Finance Ministry anticipates a reduction in growth by 1.1 percentage points, bringing the projected rate to around 1.6% for 2024.