Channel 14, Bardugo Fined $30,000 in Defamation Case

A Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court has partially accepted a defamation lawsuit filed by Yossi Langotsky against Yaakov Bardugo, a recently appointed Likud party candidate, and Channel 14. The court ordered Bardugo and the television channel to pay Langotsky NIS 75,000 (approximately $20,000 USD) in damages, plus NIS 30,000 (approximately $8,000 USD) for legal expenses and attorney fees, totaling NIS 105,000 (approximately $28,000 USD).

Langotsky had initially sought approximately NIS 475,000 (approximately $127,000 USD) in damages. The case originated from comments Bardugo made on Channel 14, referencing an interview Langotsky gave on the radio program 103FM. In that interview, Langotsky expressed concerns about a potential descent into civil war.

During his appearance on Channel 14, Bardugo directly addressed Langotsky, asking, "Is your son going to take a rifle and shoot me? Is he going to take a rifle and come, to kill?" Bardugo also questioned why Langotsky was not arrested, stating, "You are a person who threatened my children, me, my family." Bardugo further referred to Langotsky as a "moron" and "shallow."

The court ruled that Bardugo's assertions that Langotsky and his son intended to harm him, and that Langotsky deserved to be arrested, constituted defamation. However, the court determined that the terms "moron" and "shallow" did not constitute defamation in this specific context.

Channel 14's defense arguments were rejected. The court held the channel liable for the publication, reasoning that the defamatory statements were made by a regular host, not a guest.