'Chilling effect': Israel reforms increase press freedom fears

Majority of Israelis believe the premier should be held accountable for the deadly attack by Hamas on Oct 7, 2023, says survey

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A raft of proposed measures from Israel’s ruling coalition targeting the media has sparked outrage, with critics warning the planned reforms would deliver a blow to press freedom.

Suggested changes to public broadcasting, coupled with a bid to give permanent powers to the government to ban foreign TV channels which are deemed a threat, come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to seek another term next year.

Surveys show a majority of Israelis believe the premier should be held accountable for the deadly attack on the country by Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The government has also announced to much dismay the proposed closure of the widely listened-to public army radio station next year.

Months before Hamas’s attack, Netanyahu’s government — one of the most right-wing in the country’s history — proposed far-reaching judicial reforms that triggered mass protests as many feared a slide towards authoritarianism.

Israel’s top court struck down a key component of the overhaul in January 2024.

Now, Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is pushing a bill that would give the government significantly more control of public broadcasting.

The government’s own legal advisor also criticised the text.

‘Chilling effect’