Government to weigh contentious bill giving it power over regulation of broadcast media
New legislation would enable communications minister to revoke a broadcaster’s registration, issue heavy fines; networks say it’s an attempt to bring media under political control
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Sweeping legislation that would grant the communications minister broad powers over the regulation of broadcast media will be brought before a key government committee on Sunday.
The legislation introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi would see the abolition of current regulatory bodies for broadcast media and the establishment of a new seven-member regulatory council, a majority of whose members would be appointed by the minister.
The chairman of the council would be appointed by the minister, who would also serve as the director of the forum.
The council would have broad powers over broadcast media, including the ability to fine broadcasters a minimum of one percent of their income for violating the terms of the new law, and to demand any data it seeks from the broadcasters.
News networks and a press freedom organization have come out strongly against the bill, saying it is an attempt to assert government control over the media.
The bill is slated to come before the Ministerial Committee for Legislation on Sunday. If the committee approves the legislation, then the coalition will support it when it comes before the Knesset plenum for its preliminary reading.
Karhi said upon presenting the legislation that it would reduce costs for consumers, increase choice, and increase competition within the realm of broadcast media.
“This reform is aimed at the Israeli consumer’s pocketbook and freedom in television [viewing],” Karhi said after announcing his planned reforms.
“This is a revolution in the broadcasting market in Israel, which hands power back to the public and opens up a variety of options, opinions and prices to them. We aim to lower viewing costs, expand the variety of content and provide consumers with more freedom in choosing the content they consume. The market will be more competitive, diverse and transparent, and every citizen will be able to enjoy a personalized viewing experience at lower costs.”
Karhi, one of the most hard-right members of the Likud party, is seeking to establish a special Knesset committee to drive the legislation through the Knesset instead of preparing it in the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee.
That committee’s chairman, fellow Likud member MK David Bitan, has stymied Karhi’s flagship legislation to shut down the Kan public broadcaster.
According to Karhi’s new legislation, a new “Broadcast Media Authority” will be established, along with a “Council for the Regulation of Audio-Visual Content.”
These bodies will replace the Second Authority for Television and Radio, which currently regulates commercial channels, and the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council, which oversees cable and satellite television providers Hot and Yes.
Under the new law, the communications minister would appoint four of the seven members of the Council for the Regulation of Audio-Visual Content, while the director-general of the Communications Ministry would also appoint a member.
The council would manage and control the registry for broadcast content and news content providers, including powers over registration. All content providers, such as television channels, news websites, and streaming websites, would be obliged to register.
The council would also have powers to cancel a broadcast content provider’s registration for failing to comply with the conditions of the new legislation, and to fine commercial broadcasters a minimum of one percent of their income for violating its terms.
The Forum of Israeli Channels, representing the three major Israeli networks Kan 11, Keshet 12, and Reshet 13, have strongly denounced the new legislation, accusing Karhi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of seeking to take control of media in Israel.
“Wrapped in whitewashed words and empty slogans, Karhi’s plan to take over the free press is coming,” the organization said in what it called an “emergency statement.”
The forum said the legislation would “give the government political control” over content and news broadcasts and allow it to “issue sanctions and fines to deter criticism or lead to the closure of investigative media outlets.”
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel also condemned the bill, likewise accusing Karhi of trying to suppress independent journalism.
“Karhi wants to eliminate the free press and leave us with fake news controlled by businessmen and politicians. No oversight, no ethics, no independent news,” said the organization.
“This is not a reform — it is a coup in the media market.”
The Times of Israel Community.