From the Liveblog of
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Journalists sound alarm over law prohibiting opinions
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJournalists in Israel are expressing alarm over a clause in a law passed by the Knesset early Thursday morning that prohibits employees of the state broadcaster from expressing opinions on air.
“IBA broadcasts should refrain from being one-sided, pre-judging, expressing personal opinions, labeling others and grading them, ignoring facts or burying them in a selective way and not according to news values.”
On Twitter, Israel Radio reporter Chico Menashe calls the clause “shameful” and calls for the prime minister to change it.
סעיף מביש בחוק החדש של רשות השידור, בכל הנוגע לאיסור בחוק של הבעת דיעה אישית.
מקווה שרהמ יראה את הסעיף ויפעל לשינויו. pic.twitter.com/pBs3KdDzt7— Chico Menashe צ'יקו מנשה (@chicomenashe) September 3, 2015
The clause is part of an amendment to the state broadcaster law that passed the Knesset during a special session late Wednesday through early Thursday.
Opposition MK Dov Khenin on Facebook calls the clause “frightening” and says it will set a precedent of prohibiting journalists from having opinions.
The Times of Israel Community.