Israel's Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and MK Tally Gotliv, both prominent members of the Likud party, are championing a controversial bill that could dramatically reshape the Israeli media landscape. Set to be discussed in the ministerial legislation committee this Sunday, the proposal seeks to privatize the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, widely known as Kan. This move, if successful, would end public funding for the organization and transfer its television and radio broadcasting responsibilities to private ownership within two years.

The Mechanics of Privatization

Under the proposed legislation, Kan's board would be required to present a comprehensive inventory of the corporation’s assets to the Minister of Communications, the Minister of Finance, and the Second Authority for Television and Radio. This would set the stage for a privatization process.

• Television: Within a year of receiving the inventory, the Second Authority for Television and Radio would issue a tender to select a private operator for the corporation's television channels. A decision would follow within six months. If no private operator is chosen, Kan would be forced to cease all television broadcasts within two years.
• Radio: Similarly, all public radio broadcasts, except for Reshet Bet (focused on news and current affairs), would be terminated within two years. A tender for a national radio broadcasting license for Reshet Bet would also be issued within a year, allowing the winning operator to include advertising, sponsorships, and public service announcements.

Rationale for the Bill

The bill’s preamble underscores a central argument: public broadcasting is an unnecessary relic in an era of multi-channel television and widespread Internet access. With a current budget of NIS 800 million, largely funded through government allocations and vehicle radio fees, proponents claim this cost is exorbitant and unjustifiable. The bill positions privatization as a pathway to fostering competition, reducing public expenditure, and promoting a freer, more dynamic communications market.

Communications Minister Karhi has been an outspoken critic of Kan. In a pointed post on X (formerly Twitter), he lambasted the corporation for what he termed “waste of public money” and “biased content,” promising reform "with God’s help."

Opposition Cries Foul

Critics of the bill argue that privatizing Kan is less about fiscal efficiency and more about political maneuvering to silence dissenting voices in the media. They contend that public broadcasting plays a critical role in representing Israel's multicultural society and providing a platform for diverse viewpoints.

Opposition members and free speech advocates have raised concerns about the broader implications of dismantling an independent public broadcaster. They warn this could erode media independence in a country already grappling with intense political polarization.

Context and Broader Legislative Moves

This bill is not an isolated attempt to reshape Israel's communications landscape. Recently, other Likud MKs have proposed legislation aimed at tightening government control over the media:

• Real-Time Ratings: MK Shalom Danino introduced a bill for a government-supervised ratings system that would display real-time viewership data, a concept that critics argue is technologically unfeasible and could lead to undue state interference.
• State-Linked Funding: MK Avichai Boaron proposed linking the Public Broadcasting Corporation’s funding to the state budget, allowing cuts during national crises like the ongoing war.

Additionally, several Kan board members, including its chairperson Gil Omer, have seen their terms quietly expire without renewal, leaving the organization in a precarious position.

צפו
בתאגיד השידור הציבורי
שנותן במה לרוצח ההמונים
יאסר ערפאת ולפרוקסי
שלו אחמד טיבי.

בכך הפך תאגיד השידור הציבורי בעצמו לתאגיד תומך טרור.
ולכן חובה לסגור את התאגיד @shlomo_karhi
עכשיו. pic.twitter.com/wqNP8T7f4v

— יוסי שחבר (@yosi_shahbar) November 20, 2024

The Bigger Picture

For Karhi, this is a second attempt to dismantle public broadcasting. A prior effort floundered amidst the political chaos surrounding the government’s controversial judicial reforms. This time, however, Karhi appears more determined, leveraging shifts in coalition dynamics to revive the initiative.

The proposed legislation raises fundamental questions about the future of media in Israel. Will privatization spur innovation and competition, or will it diminish diversity and compromise journalistic integrity? As the bill heads to the ministerial legislation committee, the debate promises to be as fiery as it is consequential.

העיתונאות הזאת היא זיקוק הסיבה שחייבים רפורמה מקיפה בכאן.

סעיף 7 (ב) לחוק השידור הציבורי מחייב שידורים מאוזנים.

הפיכת כאן לעוד ערוץ פרוגרסיבי מהווה לא רק הפרה של החוק אלא גם הופכת את גבית המס שלו מהאזרחים להעברת עושר שאינה מוצדקת מהציבור לקבוצה פריוולגית קטנה. pic.twitter.com/U4XuIcGj5i

— Think4yourself (@thenthinkagain) November 17, 2024

While supporters hail the proposal as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility and market freedom, opponents warn it could mark a dangerous slide toward centralized control over public discourse. As Israel grapples with its identity as a democratic state, the outcome of this battle over public broadcasting will reverberate far beyond the airwaves.