Communications minister unveils plan to close TV regulator, nix license requirement

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi presents his reform plans for the coming year, announcing he will cancel the need for a license to broadcast news, as well as closing the Second Authority for Television and Radio regulator due to its “hyperactive intervention.”

In a press conference, Karhi — who has spoken repeatedly about his desire to shut down the Kan public broadcaster — says it is an “outrage” that Kan holds about half of the FM radio broadcasting frequencies. He says he plans to move some of them to local radio stations.

He says his ministry won’t be “hasty” with plans regarding the public broadcaster, hailing its popular and critically acclaimed TV series in recent years and saying: “We will continue strengthening Israeli works.”

He also says he plans to advance nationwide 5G network access.

Karhi intends to allocate a budget to “encourage competition” on news broadcasting, as well as reducing regulatory interventions in content and timetables aimed at opening new channels and lowering prices.

He also says he will “defend freedom of speech on social media,” introducing an obligation to “explain blocks and deletion of content” and allowing courts to discuss “violations of rights of social media users.”