Israeli Journalists Fear for Press Freedom as UK Billionaire Considers TV Channel Stake Sale
Israeli journalists have made a desperate appeal to British billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik, urging him to abandon the sale of a significant stake in Channel 13, a move they claim could devastate the independence of Israel's media landscape. The Union of Journalists in Israel has issued a stark warning, labeling the proposed deal as unlawful and part of a broader strategy by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to capture control of the media ahead of scheduled elections this year.
The Controversial Deal and Its Implications
Sir Leonard Blavatnik, ranked as the UK's third richest person by the Sunday Times, is selling just under a 15% share in Channel 13, a commercial television channel known for its critical news coverage of Netanyahu's administration, including in-depth investigations into the prime minister's financial affairs. The buyer is telecoms tycoon Patrick Drahi, who holds French, Portuguese, and Israeli nationalities. Drahi already owns a cable television company and a news channel in Israel that typically offers far less critical reporting on Netanyahu.
Critics argue that despite Drahi purchasing only the maximum allowable stake under Israel's competition laws, his influence could be absolute. As the sole investor willing to inject funds into Channel 13, which has suffered heavy losses, Drahi would effectively control the channel's editorial policy. Anat Saragusti, who oversees press freedom for the Union of Journalists, expressed grave concerns, stating, "While Patrick Drahi is only buying 15%, our fear is that by buying 15%, he gets 100% hold of the policy of the channel. Because if he's the only one that can pour money into the channel and make it sustainable, then it is completely dependent on him."
Broader Context and Comparisons
The struggle over Channel 13 has drawn comparisons to the fate of the Washington Post under US billionaire Jeff Bezos, who recently axed nearly a third of its workforce. Ayala Panievsky, a presidential fellow in journalism at City St George's, University of London, views both cases as part of a global war on independent journalism led by populist authoritarians and their enablers. In her book, The New Censorship: How the War on the Media is Taking Us Down, she highlights the escalating threats to press freedom worldwide.
Israeli journalists fear that a Drahi takeover could lead to similar mass job losses and a chilling effect on critical reporting. This concern is amplified by Netanyahu's government's concerted efforts to reshape Israel's media landscape, including financial sanctions on the independent newspaper Haaretz and a lawsuit against an investigative journalist from Channel 12 for record damages.
Alternative Bids and Denials
A consortium of liberal Israeli tech entrepreneurs has made a rival bid for 74% of Channel 13, offering to invest between $80 million and $120 million over three years for modernization, significantly more than Drahi's proposal. However, negotiations have not been finalized. A spokesperson for Blavatnik's company, Access Industries, denied any political pressure in the decision, asserting that Drahi's offer was selected solely for its financial benefits, providing urgent funds for stability and growth.
The spokesperson also refuted Israeli reports suggesting government interference, stating, "Sir Leonard Blavatnik, nor anyone on behalf of Access, has spoken with any government official regarding Channel 13." Despite this, the Union of Journalists expects Israel's antitrust authorities or supreme court to block the Drahi bid, while reporters hold out hope that Blavatnik will reconsider.
The Stakes for Israeli Democracy
Anat Saragusti emphasized the critical nature of this moment, warning, "If Channel 13 falls, this would be the end of the free press in Israel, because the rest will fall after that. It's the tipping point. I think Blavatnik doesn't really understand that this is not merely an economic issue but a milestone in Israeli democracy." As the situation unfolds, the outcome could have profound implications for press freedom and democratic integrity in Israel, with journalists and activists continuing to fight for a diverse and independent media.
