Netanyahu long been known for his attempts to control media
Date
11/27/2024 6:44:53 AM
(MENAFN) Benjamin Netanyahu has long been known for his attempts to control the media, and this week, he intensified his efforts to suppress free press as part of a broader campaign to dismantle democracy in Israel and consolidate power under his leadership. Information Minister Shlomo Karei, a close ally of Netanyahu, revealed the government's plans during a Ministerial Committee on Legislation meeting, stating, "We were elected by the people, and we can change the system if we want."
The recent actions target media outlets that Netanyahu perceives as critical, particularly Haaretz and the public broadcaster Kan. The government decided to sever all ties with Haaretz and pursue the privatization of Kan. This decision was leaked through the government's agenda without legal input and quickly fast-tracked despite opposition from the legal adviser to the government, Ghali. These moves reflect Netanyahu's ongoing attack on the media and the democratic checks that exist to keep his power in check.
The pretext for the boycott of Haaretz was a comment by the newspaper's publisher, Amos Schuken, at a London conference last month. However, Karei had introduced the boycott proposal a year earlier, as he admitted in meetings. The government's urgency in pushing this agenda followed the publication of an Haaretz report exposing efforts by Netanyahu’s close associates to bolster Qatar’s image, a country linked with Hamas.
Netanyahu understands the essential role of a free press in a democracy but views it as a threat to his control. He has redefined "freedom of the press" as the freedom to promote his own narrative and suppress criticism. His vision for the media aligns with the pro-government stance of Channel 14, a station he has worked to enhance and control. Attacking Haaretz during wartime is convenient for Netanyahu, especially as the Jewish opposition parties, which support Haaretz, present themselves as patriotic while the ruling coalition erodes democratic values.
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