Media Reform: Serious Harm to Press Freedom and Democracy

A special Knesset committee is currently debating the Communications (Broadcasting) Bill, 2025 ("Broadcasting Bill"), which seeks to enact reforms in Israel’s commercial broadcasting market and its regulation. Among other things, it proposes to establish a new regulatory body that would replace the existing one. This new regulator would have the power to censor broadcasts and would be subject to political influence. This would, consequently, weaken or destroy the tools designed to ensure the independence, reliability, and quality of broadcast journalism.  

ACRI does not necessarily oppose reforms in the communications broadcasting market, but does oppose the aspects of the legislation that could lead to undermine freedom of the press and lead to the politicization in the regulation of the commercial communications market. In a position paper sent by ACRI Attorney Hagar Shechter, we point out that communications in general, and a free press in particular, are not "ordinary" consumer products but rather basic conditions for the existence of a substantive democracy and for the active participation of the public in political and civic life.  

In the paper, Schechter addressed several problematic aspects of the bill, including: 

• Provisions that would enable politicians to take control of or influence the regulator, which would weaken the independence and freedom of the press, especially when it comes to criticism of the government; 

• The abolition of ethical obligations imposed on news providers and journalists; the procedures and policies designed to protect journalism from commercial and political influences; and the systems designed to ensure the quality, reliability, and independence of the news; 

• The revocation of the prohibition against cross-ownership, which would allow the wealthy to take even more control of the communications market; 

• Dismantling the ability to watch channels through analog means, which would primarily harm those who live in communities where internet infrastructure is inadequate, populations with low digital literacy, and the elderly. 

  
  

ACRI is concerned that the changes proposed in the bill would enable the harassment of media outlets that dare to criticize the government and its supporters, or present content and positions that are not aligned with the government's positions and influence groups. There is also the concern that the proposed changes would create a chilling effect and result in self-censorship. For example, there is the fear that the new ability of the minister to prevent channels from broadcasting would lead news channels to avoid taking critical stances, presenting populations that are generally not shown onscreen, or challenging the narrative promoted by the government. There is particular concern about potential harm to Arabic-language media and Arab journalists or those who dare to cover discrimination against the Arab public in Israel and the harms to the rights of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  

The bill is, moreover, has been advanced via an accelerated and deficient legislative process. The programs and policies it proposes are not based on research and data. It is, ultimately, part of the judicial overhaul and another step in Israel's transformation into an illiberal democracy. 

ACRI's position paper, January 7, 2026 (Heb)