Israeli Knesset Passes Controversial Broadcast Reform Bill Increasing Government Media Control

The Israeli Knesset passed the first reading of a controversial Broadcasting Bill proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, which aims to overhaul the country's media landscape by creating a new regulatory authority with significant government control. The bill would replace existing bodies and grant the minister-appointed council broad powers over broadcast media, including issuing fines and removing barriers to new channels, with the goal of increasing competition and lowering consumer costs. Critics, including the Attorney General and the Knesset Legal Advisor, warn that the bill threatens press freedom and enables political interference in the media. The legislation has also drawn opposition from regulatory and competition authorities, the Ministry of Finance, and international concerns, particularly from the U.S. regarding obligations on American streaming services. Despite this, Karhi and supporters claim the reform promotes diversity of opinion and consumer choice, and the bill's progress is tied to political negotiations with ultra-Orthodox parties, who have linked their support to expanding rabbinical court powers. The bill now moves to the Knesset Economics Committee for further discussion before subsequent readings.