"Public Broadcasting is Essential" - Israeli Parliament Committee Blocks KAN Privatization Effort, will remain safe from closure
Translation:
Law to Privatize Broadcasting Corporation Will Not Advance in Knesset: "We Need Public Broadcasting"
During the discussion in the Economic Committee, Chairman David Bitan said that the bill submitted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi would not be advanced. "Public broadcasting was a condition for closing the Israel Broadcasting Authority – therefore I am not in favor of canceling it.” The ratings law will be frozen.
The law to privatize the public broadcasting corporation will not advance in the Knesset, Economic Committee Chairman David Bitan announced this morning (Wednesday). "We need public broadcasting," Bitan said, among other things, during the committee discussion. It was also learned that the ratings law will be frozen.
About two months ago, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi submitted a new bill to privatize the Kan public broadcasting corporation. The proposal, which had already been submitted to the Knesset in the past, sought to transfer the corporation from the state budget to private hands. According to the text, the corporation would be transferred to private hands after a tender, and if no such parties were found, it would be closed.
During today's discussion, Chairman Bitan explained why he would not advance the law, arguing that public broadcasting is necessary. MK Tally Gotliv was outraged by his words and replied: "So am I not allowed to think differently?" Bitan: "This is what the Knesset decided. We need public broadcasting. There is a debate about what needs to be fixed, what needs to be changed - we will do it through the law." Gotliv: "Are you asking my permission?" Bitan: "I'm not asking your permission. Regarding privatization - Channels 12 and 13 are privatized, are they for the right-wing?" Gotliv: "Why, is Channel 11 for the right-wing? You're telling me that the political consideration is not a consideration in any way!"
"There is a law, the Public Broadcasting Law, which the Knesset enacted in 2014 on the recommendation of a public committee and a minister who was from the Likud, this was a condition for closing the Israel Broadcasting Authority," Bitan argued in response. "Changes needed to be made, we made changes. Public broadcasting has always existed in the State of Israel. Therefore, regarding the cancellation of public broadcasting - I am not in favor of canceling it. Regarding privatization..." Gotliv: "I am saying very clearly, this is my worldview. I am in favor of privatizing public broadcasting."
Last month, Bitan decided to postpone the discussion on the issue of the ratings law, which was proposed by MK Shlomo Danino from the Likud - which seeks to stipulate that during prime time hours (7:00 PM to 11:00 PM), viewers will be shown the viewership data of the most watched television channel in real time. Today he announced that after a re-examination, it was decided that it would be frozen.
Source:
https://www.ynet.co.il/entertainment/article/sy0fpgsdke