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The Shin Bet is Surveilling Journalists and Their Sources

  • ACRI
  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

On July 10, 2026, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported on its main news program (Ulpan Shishi) that the Shin Bet uses communications data to monitor journalists, their sources, and people in their circles, particularly those critical of the government and its leader. Following the report, ACRI, together with the I’lam Media Center, submitted an appeal to the Head of the Shin Bet, the Attorney General, and the Shin Bet's Legal Advisor, demanding an immediate halt to this surveillance, and to ensure the protection of freedom of the press and the constitutional rights associated with it. 


In the appeal, ACRI Attorney Hagar Shechter noted that surveilling journalists is an infringement on freedom of the press, source confidentiality, the public's right to know, and the foundations of democracy. Additionally, monitoring journalists and their sources may create a chilling effect by deterring sources from disclosing information and impairing the media's ability to fulfill its role in keeping the public informed. Surveilling journalists who are critical of the government, particularly with the elections on the horizon, raises concerns that the aim is to suppress criticism of the government, prevent the exposure of its wrongdoing and failures, and hinder attempts to elect a different government. This is therefore not only a violation of freedom of the press, but also an attempt to entrench the existing government in power. 


The courts have long recognized the importance of protecting the confidentiality of journalistic sources, and the State itself has previously stated before the Supreme Court that special safeguards exist regarding the use of journalists' communications data. The recent reports raise concerns that these protections are no longer being upheld, and that surveillance tools are being used in ways that undermine press freedom and basic democratic values. 


 

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