Closing Army Radio would be ‘illegitimate and illegal,’ says Israel Press Council

The Israel Press Council, a representative body for major Israeli media outlets and headed by former Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melcer, describes Defense Minister Israel Katz’s decision to close Army Radio as “illegitimate and illegal,” and says that the station can only be closed via a Knesset move.

“The status of Army Radio is anchored in primary legislation, and only legislation can change the status of the station,” says the organization, in which Army Radio is a member.

“The Israel Press Council will act in every way to prevent the closure of the station, protect freedom of the press, the diversity of the media, and the right of the public to know.”

And the Movement for Quality Government in Israel calls Katz’s decision “the continuation of the attack on the free press,” referring to legislation proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi that critics have also warned would threaten freedom of the press.

“The claim that the station ‘harms morale’ is a dismal excuse for a political move aimed at silencing critical voices. Government ministers must not be allowed to close media outlets based on political considerations,” said the organization.