From: The Legal Forum for the Land of Israel <lg@haforum.org.il>
Date: Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 1:25 AM
Subject: The Fight Against One-Side Broadcasting
To: אביגיל <lg@haforum.org.il>
בס"ד
February 22, 2013
The Fight Against One-Side Broadcasting
Tadmit Media Center, which was founded by the Legal Forum to promote democracy in Israeli media, is taking action to balance reports and personnel in various Israeli media outlets. Last week, Tadmit demanded that Israel's Channel 2 News Program add another news commentator alongside Amnon Abramovich, who is known to hold post-Zionist views.
For decades, post-Zionist agendas have been promoted in the media, especially in state-owned media outlets. For example, Galei Tzhal, a radio station mainly aimed at soldiers, has publicly endorsed avoiding army service.
In an interview following the recent elections, Mr. Abramovich declared that he has a clear agenda with regard to political matters and is happy to promote them through his interpretations in the News Company's broadcasts. He was quoted as saying: "I believe that thanks to the work of some of the media, including myself, the external layers of Naftali Bennet have been peeled off and a large mass of voters transferred their support to Yair Lapid." Later in the interview, Mr. Abramovich is described as holding post-Zionist views, strongly objecting to Prime Minister Netanyahu's policies of settling Judea and Samaria and financial support for the ultra-orthodox community in Israel. Mr. Abramovich also expressed his support for an Arab state.
Following these statements, Chani Luz from Tadmit contacted the Channel Two Council and demanded a second commentator to balance the broadcast.
Amnon Abramovitch
In her letter, Chani Luz said that "it is legitimate for Mr. Abramovich to hold these views, however it is completely unreasonable that he uses the public stage he is given to bluntly and directly influence the political arena. What is even more alarming is that the News Company allows the possibility to promote a single agenda, which is in complete contrast to its role to provide a balanced news report and allow its viewers to hear a range of ideas, as is clearly stated in the regulations of the TV and Radio Council." The Council was asked to act immediately to rectify the current situation.
Tadmit Media Center realizes that the personal opinions of news commentators cannot be hidden during their work. However, as the commercial channel is also a public channel, it should not only strive to balance news reports, it is obligated to do so. Tadmit demands the addition of another news commentator who is not committed to post-Zionist views but rather to national ones. "We are not looking to limit Mr. Abramovich' right to freedom of speech, but rather to ensure proper balance, fairness and impartiality."
Authorities in the Channel 2 Television Council have responded to Tadmit's claims and will take action in the matter, understanding the reasoning behind the claims made against them.
The Legal Forum, along with Tadmit Media Center, will continue to monitor the handling of this matter, and will also continue to act to strengthen the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, where all members of the population enjoy freedom of speech and a right to express their opinions and agendas.
The Forum's activities are carried out by volunteer attorneys, legal and financial experts, who act to protect human rights in Israel. To continue this valuable work, we need your help. Please donate to The Legal Forum so that justice can prevail.
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Sincerely,
Robin Ticker
Activist emails sent to my list are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan) a great activist and lover of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichrono Baruch.
Most of these emails are posted on Shemittahrediscovered.blogspot.com
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