The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/communications-ministry/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:22:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Communications Ministry | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/communications-ministry/ 32 32 After backlash, Karhi drops bid to grant Netanyahu additional power over media before election https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-backlash-karhi-drops-bid-to-grant-netanyahu-additional-power-over-media-during-elections/ Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:47:03 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3841297 Opposition MKs decry last-minute amendment to controversial broadcast overhaul bill, which one quips 'suddenly appeared in the middle of the night'; comms minister mocks 'clowns'

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]]> Coalition seeks to fast-track 2 key bills through committee, bypassing legal review https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-seeks-to-fast-track-legislation-through-committee-bypassing-legal-review/ Sun, 17 May 2026 17:55:50 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3825458 Marathon committee sessions expedite bills to split AG's role and overhaul media before expected Knesset dissolution and early elections, despite legal adviser's opposition

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]]> Knesset legal adviser blasts media bill’s legislative process, urges committee change https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-legal-adviser-blasts-media-bills-legislative-process-urges-committee-change/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:06:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3802650 Sagit Afik says proceedings at special panel don't meet basic requirements, demands return to economics committee, after clash in which legal advisers were silenced

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]]> Unable to shut down Kan, coalition maneuvers to control public broadcaster’s budget https://www.timesofisrael.com/unable-to-shut-down-kan-coalition-maneuvers-to-control-public-broadcasters-budget/ Thu, 26 Mar 2026 17:03:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3779549 Bill removing legal safeguards that are meant to shield outlet from political pressure is moved to Knesset committee headed by Netanyahu loyalist, in crusade to dismantle outlet

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]]> Knesset extends authorities’ power to ban broadcasts deemed harmful to security https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-extends-authorities-power-to-ban-broadcasts-deemed-harmful-to-security/ Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:34:44 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3718291 Law, now in effect until 2027, enables shuttering of outlets, seizure of equipment, and blocking of satellite transmissions in Israel and the West Bank

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]]> Panel chair assails press as special Knesset committee takes up media oversight bill https://www.timesofisrael.com/panel-chair-assails-press-as-special-knesset-committee-takes-up-media-reform-bill/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:35:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3707491 Netanyahu loyalist accuses outlets of persecuting PM in opening discussion on Karhi bill that critics say will stifle free speech and give authorities wide say in what is reported

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]]> Media bill won’t give government direct editorial control, but risks putting press in biased, moneyed hands https://www.timesofisrael.com/media-bill-wont-give-government-direct-editorial-control-but-risks-putting-press-in-biased-moneyed-hands/ Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:41:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3681700 Expert Tehilla Shwartz Altshuler says Karhi’s proposal could severely damage independent journalism. While regulation reform is needed, this bill ‘can’t be divorced’ from coalition’s hostility to press

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]]> Funding for original Israeli TV projects is about to dry up, warn industry insiders https://www.timesofisrael.com/funding-for-original-israeli-tv-projects-is-about-to-dry-up-warn-industry-insiders/ Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:54:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3602795 At the Jerusalem Film Festival, producers of hits such as 'Tehran' say outdated legislation coupled with wariness of international companies means Israeli productions may soon say 'the end'

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]]> Communications minister assailed for declaring he won’t comply with High Court order https://www.timesofisrael.com/communications-minister-assailed-for-declaring-he-wont-comply-with-high-court-order/ Tue, 07 Jan 2025 11:58:14 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3454469 Karhi accuses court of usurping authority; opposition leader Lapid says law must be obeyed, Gantz warns of anarchy if ministers fail to comply with court orders

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]]> Likud minister asserts that government has right to enact ‘regime change’ in Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-minister-insists-in-leaked-comments-that-government-can-enact-regime-change/ Sun, 24 Nov 2024 21:51:30 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3426284 In separate comments, Karhi suggests abolishing High Court, replacing it with body overseen by Knesset; ministerial panel backs firebrand legislator's bill to enhance MKs' immunity

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]]> AG comes out against bill that would give government control of TV viewer ratings https://www.timesofisrael.com/ag-comes-out-against-bill-that-would-give-government-control-of-tv-viewer-ratings/ Tue, 29 Oct 2024 01:19:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3407197 Television networks say measure will lead to 'channeling of private advertising funds to political needs'; comms minister: Attorney general's 'opinion as important as garlic peel'

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]]> Government approves proposal to block Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen news https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-approves-proposal-to-block-hezbollah-affiliated-al-mayadeen-news/ Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:42:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3352020 Communications minister signs order to seize network's equipment and block local access to its websites, says 'terrorist representatives' are posing as journalists

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]]> Communications minister seeks to blame Gallant for AP equipment seizure fiasco https://www.timesofisrael.com/communications-minister-seeks-to-blame-gallant-for-ap-equipment-seizure-fiasco/ Thu, 23 May 2024 13:46:49 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3296531 Shlomo Karhi, who faced ridicule over his rapid U-turn, claims defense minister got 'cold feet' and was unwilling to say news agency's live feed of Gaza endangered soldiers

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]]> Karhi reverses decision to seize AP equipment that broadcasts live feed of Gaza https://www.timesofisrael.com/karhi-backtracks-on-decision-to-seize-ap-equipment-broadcasting-live-feed-of-gaza/ Tue, 21 May 2024 21:42:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3295374&preview=true&preview_id=3295374 Live feed resumes hours after communications minister says confiscated camera, equipment being returned; AP welcomes reversal but concerned about government impeding press freedom

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]]> Israel seizes AP equipment broadcasting live feed from Gaza, citing use by Al Jazeera https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-seizes-ap-equipment-broadcasting-live-feed-from-gaza-citing-use-by-al-jazeera/ Tue, 21 May 2024 17:08:06 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3295063 Communications Minister Karhi accuses the wire service of violating a new media law by providing images to banned Qatari network; US, Foreign Press Association criticize move

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