High Court freezes TV regulatory body activities due to petitions over alleged politicization of media regulation

The High Court of Justice issues a temporary injunction ordering that the Second Authority commercial broadcasting regulatory body’s activities be frozen pending a further decision, due to recent changes made to the agency’s composition that are the subject of petitions to the court.

Justice Alex Stein reprimands the government and the communications minister for failing to file their responses to the petitions on time after repeatedly being granted extensions. A further extension request was made today despite the previous deadline of last Thursday.

Stein calls the request “unacceptable” and says that the petitions will be heard “as quickly as possible” by a three-judge panel.

The Union of Journalists in Israel as well as the Movement for Quality in Government and other organizations petitioned the High Court in March after the composition of the Second Authority was changed.

The Union of Journalists claims the changes to the regulatory council were made “to thwart” a proposed change of ownership over Channel 13, and says that three new members of the Second Authority council appointed by the government have “clear political ties to the prime minister.”

In response to the temporary injunction, the union says that “the Second Authority Council should be staffed by professionals, for the benefit of the entire public, and not political appointees who act in the interests of the government.”

The Movement for Quality Government also cites concerns over the attitude of the Second Authority to Channel 13’s ownership in welcoming the temporary injunction.

“The court’s decision is an important step in protecting the free media in Israel from the government’s political interference. Government ministers must understand that a free media is one of the cornerstones of democratic rule, and cease their attempts to control the media and tilt it in their favor.”