On Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset approved a preliminary draft law providing for the privatisation of state media. According to this bill, state-owned channels, including Kan TV and radio stations, will be closed within two years, and their assets will be transferred to private hands. Owners of private companies will be able to obtain licences to broadcast on these platforms, the Jerusalem Post reports.
The law caused a wave of protests in the opposition. The opposition leader, former journalist Yair Lapid, strongly condemned the initiative, calling it “an attack on democracy and freedom of speech”. He compared these actions to the practices of dictatorial regimes that seek to destroy the independent press.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who initiated the bill, justified it by the need for “economic liberalisation”, claiming that Kan channel promotes hatred of Israel. He stressed that this decision would contribute to a more effective management of the country’s media space.
This move is part of a broader government policy aimed at limiting the influence of critical media. For example, the Israeli government recently decided to end its cooperation with the left-wing Haaretz newspaper, stopping advertising and official communication through this media outlet.
The changes taking place in Israel’s information space are a cause for concern both within the country and in the international arena, as these steps could lead to a significant restriction of freedom of speech and media independence.
