Channel 14 and Broadcaster Ordered to Pay $27,000 in Defamation Case

Channel 14 and its broadcaster Nati Langerman have been ordered by the Rehovot Magistrate's Court to pay NIS 100,000 (approximately $27,000) to communications consultant and lobbyist Yosifa Barak. The ruling, issued on August 30, 2026, stems from a series of publications made by Langerman during the COVID-19 pandemic, which Barak claimed damaged her reputation. Barak initially sued Langerman for NIS 300,000, later increasing the claim to NIS 500,000 and adding Channel 14's operating company as a defendant.

The lawsuit centered on accusations against Barak, including planning to harm the son of Dr. Sharon Elrai Price, offering a "sexual bribe" to a police officer, threatening a judge, cutting ties with her son, and being a "convicted criminal." Barak argued these were false publications that constituted libel.

Langerman and Channel 14 contended the publications were part of Langerman's journalistic work and related to Barak's public campaign against Health Ministry policies and vaccination mandates. They also claimed protections under the law, including truth and good faith.

Judge Israel Pat examined the publications individually. He found that in several instances, the defendants failed to prove their claims. For example, while the court found evidence of Barak posting disturbing content about Elrai Price's child, it was not proven she planned physical harm. The "sexual bribe" claim was deemed unproven libel, based on a single source without independent verification or Barak's response. The alleged threat to Judge Tal Havkin was interpreted as a harsh metaphor, not a physical threat, especially since a police investigation was closed without indictment. The "convicted criminal" label was deemed misleading, and the claim of Barak initiating contact severance with her son was also found to misrepresent the facts. Information regarding financial enforcement proceedings was found to be from after the publication date.

However, the court did not rule in Barak's favor on all claims. Regarding the harassment of Elrai Price's children, the court found factual basis supported by prior judicial decisions, granting the defense of truth and opinion. Ultimately, separate damages were awarded for the prohibited publications, with the largest sum of NIS 35,000 for the "sexual bribe" claim. Additional amounts were awarded for claims of planning harm to a minor (NIS 15,000), threatening a judge (NIS 12,000), being a "convicted criminal" (NIS 18,000), and severing ties with her son and financial difficulties (NIS 10,000 each). The total of NIS 100,000 includes legal expenses and attorney fees. Barak's request for removal of the publications and an apology was denied, as the court noted the defendants had already removed them voluntarily.