(MENAFN) The Israeli Knesset approved a bill in its first reading on Tuesday that could significantly expand government oversight of the nation’s media landscape.

A Knesset statement said the proposed legislation introduces “comprehensive reforms in the field of broadcast regulation,” including the creation of a single regulatory body to replace both the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council and the Second Authority for Television and Radio.

The vote was narrowly decided, with 54 lawmakers in favor and 47 opposed, the statement added. Under Israel’s legislative process, a bill must pass three readings to become law.

An Israeli broadcaster, citing analysts, cautioned that while the legislation is framed as a move to liberalize the media sector, it could instead give the government “increased influence over news content, posing a long-term political and legal challenge to media independence.”

The country already maintains some of the strictest press controls globally, enforced through a system called “military censorship,” which allows the army and security agencies to block publication of material considered harmful to national security or sensitive information.

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