Channel 14 and Bardugo Ordered to Pay NIS 105,000 for Defamation
Channel 14 and its commentator, Yaakov Bardugo, have been ordered by the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court to pay NIS 105,000 (approximately $28,000) to geologist Yossi Langotsky in damages for defamation. The ruling stems from statements made by Bardugo on Channel 14's program 'The Patriots' in March 2022, which Langotsky claimed constituted libel.
Langotsky, a prominent geologist and former director of the Israel Geological Survey, sued Bardugo and the television channel after they allegedly accused him of fabricating data regarding the Tamar gas field and of being a "liar" and "corrupt." The court found that Bardugo's statements were indeed defamatory and that the defendants failed to prove their truth.
In addition to the monetary damages, Channel 14 and Bardugo were ordered to pay Langotsky NIS 15,000 for legal expenses. The ruling emphasized the importance of journalistic responsibility and the need to verify information before broadcasting it, especially when it concerns public figures and sensitive issues like natural resources.
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