Many in Israel and abroad are screaming over what they call the decline of Israel’s democracy after the Knesset passed controversial legislation. However, it is the decline in another staple of a democratic society that is more concerning. Consider this: A duly elected government passes a law, one that has stoked controversy and seems widely unpopular, and the next day all the newspapers run the same “cover story” decrying the tragedy that has just befallen the nation. But, later it is revealed that these were not cover stories; they were advertisements—a paid campaign to make it look like the world was ending; a lament that a tragedy as big as the destruction of the two Holy Temples that we commemoratively mourn today has befallen the Jewish nation.

In a democratic society, free and impartial media plays a pivotal role in upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and balanced reporting. However, dangers arise when media outlets compromise their integrity and objectivity by selling their cover pages for advertisements to political entities. This happened Tuesday, the day after the Knesset passed a controversial law canceling the Court’s use of ‘Reasonableness’ when considering government decisions. The largest newspapers from across Israel’s ideological spectrum all sold off their cover pages to a group that has been fueling the protests against Judicial Reform.

Here are the actual front pages of Israeli newspapers ⤵️

A protest organization, "Democratech Israel", purchased the BLACK covers (for approximately millions of Israeli shekels)… as ads. pic.twitter.com/7xj2cCNeKi

— Nirit Weiss-Blatt, PhD (@DrTechlash) July 25, 2023

Growing up in America, the country that is considered the beacon of freedom and democracy in the world, I was taught by my 7th-grade Social Studies teacher, Mr. Goldman, that in democratic countries, free and responsible media is regarded as the "Fourth Estate," acting as a watchdog to keep those in power accountable. I learned from him that the purpose of the media was to serve as a vital bridge between the government and the people, ensuring that citizens are informed, educated, and empowered to make informed decisions.

Objective journalism and unbiased reporting are the cornerstones of a healthy democracy, fostering an environment of open dialogue and diverse opinions. Sadly, since my childhood, I have watched integrity fade from journalism, media that was meant to inform pivot to entertain, and the subtle partisanship that once existed in media outlets become extreme. Yet, despite all that has gone wrong with the media in the United States, I have never seen such blatant irresponsibility as on Tuesday at my local newsstand in Israel.

When a media outlet allows itself to be used like this, it exposes several dangers. One of them is the erosion of the media’s credibility. When news outlets align themselves with anti-government ideological movements, their credibility is severely compromised. This compromises public trust in the media as an unbiased source of information, leading to skepticism and the spread of misinformation. Being that most media outlets are already biased towards one side or the other, the danger here is limited to willingly spreading what has become known as fake news.

Newspaper cover ads sponsored by Israel's high-tech sector. From democracy to technocracy? https://t.co/ITCtzblFiG

— Nathalie Rothschild (@n_rothschild) July 25, 2023

The papers are also contributing to the polarization and division within Israeli society today. The act of selling cover pages for anti-government advertisements contributes to the degradation of society by serving to deepen societal divisions. Instead of promoting constructive dialogue and unity, such actions exacerbate polarization and widen ideological gulfs between various segments of the population.

By placing a paid advertisement from an anti-government organization with blurred sources of funding, some even allege it is all money from outside of Israel, the news agencies are guilty of manipulating Public Opinion. Media influence is potent, and when cover pages are used for propaganda purposes and do not clearly demark that they are paid spaces, it can sway public opinion in favor of or against the democratically elected government. This distortion of truth undermines the democratic process and impedes the government's ability to govern effectively.

What does it say about Israel's democracy that almost every single newspaper cover can be bought and paid for by special interest tycoons and PR agencies and that the judicial system, elites and media run the country and actual voters don't stand a chance?

I think it says A LOT.

— Ron M. (@Jewtastic) July 25, 2023

When media outlets collectively participate in biased practices such as what happened on Tuesday, the functioning of a democratically elected government is severely affected. The government's ability to govern effectively is compromised due to constant criticism and opposition, often driven by sensationalist headlines and biased narratives that are revealed later to have been purchased. This erodes the public's confidence in the media and casts suspicion on elected representatives who side with the opposition, leading to further challenges to governance and gridlock.

The damage to democratic norms is considerable; many citizens in Israel have already begun to lose faith in the democratic process altogether. The result will be seen in future elections in the form of reduced political participation and apathy among voters, making it harder for the government to enact meaningful policies and initiatives.

Not sure what’s more dangerous to a free and open society, the passage of a law restricting judicial interference in government decisions or the country’s collective print media selling their front pages to a movement on one extreme end of the political spectrum. https://t.co/0Ic4WKvlaL

— Jay Engelmayer (@jengelmayer) July 26, 2023

The dangers of the Israeli media outlets selling their cover pages to an anti-government, ideological movement cannot be overstated. Collectively, these outlets undermined their own credibility but worse, cast a suspicious shadow over all media. A robust and independent media is essential to preserve the integrity of democratic institutions and safeguard the principles of transparency and accountability, especially here in Israel. It is imperative for media outlets to uphold their responsibility to objectively report the news and present unbiased information to the public, ensuring the vitality and strength of democratic governance.