The future of press freedom in Israel hangs in the balance as British billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik considers selling his stake in Channel 13, a commercial television channel known for its critical coverage of the Netanyahu government. This potential sale has sparked fears among Israeli journalists, who worry that it could lead to a severe erosion of media independence in their country.
Blavatnik, a prominent figure on the UK's rich list, is selling a significant 15% share of Channel 13 to Patrick Drahi, a telecoms tycoon with multiple nationalities. Drahi already owns a cable television company and a news channel in Israel, both of which have been less critical of Netanyahu's government. However, Drahi's business empire is heavily indebted, and he is currently embroiled in a legal battle with creditors in the US.
The Union of Journalists in Israel has issued a strong statement, calling the sale an unlawful deal that threatens press freedom. They believe it is part of a master plan by the Netanyahu government to capture the media ahead of this year's scheduled elections. The Union has expressed confidence that Blavatnik, known for his philanthropy, will not support any move that undermines press freedom.
While Blavatnik is selling just under 15% of Channel 13, critics argue that Drahi, as the sole investor, will have de facto control over the channel's policy and direction. Anat Saragusti, who oversees press freedom for the Union, expressed her concerns: "By buying 15%, he gets 100% hold of the policy. If he's the sole source of funding, the channel becomes completely dependent on him."
Saragusti further emphasized the negative impact on the Israeli public: "It's a lose-lose situation for freedom of speech and diversity of opinions."
Attempts to seek comment from Drahi's company, Altice, Netanyahu's office, and Israel's ministry of communications were unsuccessful.
Ayala Panievsky, a journalism fellow at City St George's, University of London, draws parallels between the Channel 13 situation and the fate of the Washington Post under Jeff Bezos. Panievsky, who has written a book on the global siege on the free press by populist right-wing forces, views these cases as part of an escalating war on independent journalism.
She argues that media owners should be held accountable when they collaborate with governments to harm press freedom. Israeli journalists fear that a Drahi takeover could result in similar mass job losses as seen at the Washington Post.
A consortium of liberal Israeli tech entrepreneurs has made a rival bid for a majority stake in Channel 13, offering significant investment for its modernization. A source close to the group claims they are prepared to invest $80-$120 million over three years, a more substantial commitment than Drahi's offer.
A spokesperson for Blavatnik's company, Access Industries, denies any political pressure to sell to Drahi. They state that Drahi's proposal was selected because it represented the better deal for Channel 13, enabling the urgent injection of funds for stability, expansion, and investment in high-quality content.
The spokesperson also refutes Israeli reports suggesting that the Netanyahu government had signaled its disapproval of the tech consortium's bid. They emphasize that Blavatnik and Access Industries have not spoken to any government officials regarding Channel 13.
Netanyahu and his ministers have been actively reshaping Israel's media landscape ahead of the elections, with the prime minister facing corruption charges involving alleged offers of favorable financial treatment in exchange for positive coverage. Last month, a government minister sued an investigative journalist on Channel 12 for record damages, and the government has imposed financial sanctions on the independent newspaper Haaretz for its criticism of the Gaza war.
The tech consortium is expected to continue advocating for their bid to buy Channel 13, and the Union of Journalists believes Israel's antitrust authorities or supreme court may block Drahi's bid. Meanwhile, journalists are hoping that Blavatnik reconsiders his decision.
Saragusti warns that the fall of Channel 13 could be a tipping point for the free press in Israel: "If Channel 13 falls, the rest will follow. It's a milestone in Israeli democracy that Blavatnik may not fully grasp."
The future of independent journalism in Israel hangs in the balance, and the outcome of this potential sale could have far-reaching implications for the country's media landscape and democratic values.
