Knesset committee approves contentious media overhaul bill for final readings in plenum

The Knesset committee preparing the government’s highly controversial media overhaul legislation approves the bill for its final readings in the Knesset plenum.

Chair of the Special Committee for the Communications Law Likud MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan says that media in Israel would change “from top to bottom,” allowing Israelis greater choice in what they watch as a result of the proposed law.

“Consumers will immediately feel the effect of lower prices. Everyone will benefit from the fruits of this reform,” asserts Distel-Atbaryan.

The opposition, however, denounced the advancement of the bill to its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum, saying the legislation will undermine freedom of the press and concentrate regulatory power in the government’s hands.

“This is the day on which a stamp of approval was given to a regime change law, which will take control over the free press in the State of Israel,” says Yesh Atid MK and special committee member for the opposition Shelly Tal Meron.

The Knesset is yet to set a date for the final readings in the plenum, with time running out for the coalition before the Knesset is dissolved at the end of the month, ahead of the election.