Israel's Attorney General Seeks to Freeze Communications Law
Translated & summarized from Makan by baba
Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has petitioned the Supreme Court to freeze a new Communications Law, citing concerns over press freedom and flaws in its legislative process. The law, pushed by the Communications Minister, was reportedly advanced at the request of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Attorney General seeks Supreme Court freeze of Communications Law.
- Law's passage had fundamental flaws, AG argues.
- Concerns raised over press freedom and media independence.
- Timing near elections adds to urgency, AG states.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu requested the law's advancement.
Israel's Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has asked the Supreme Court to issue an interim order freezing the Communications Law, initiated by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. Baharav-Miara warned that the law could negatively impact press freedom and media independence.
In her filing to the court, she argued that the law was passed through a legislative process with fundamental flaws. She emphasized that these flaws are particularly serious when legislation touches upon the core principles of free expression, journalism, and media autonomy.
Baharav-Miara highlighted the urgency of freezing the law, especially with elections approaching. She stated that structural changes in the media market and news broadcasting could have sensitive repercussions on public discourse and the electoral environment.
The Knesset approved the Communications Law approximately two months ago. Minister Karhi, who championed the bill, stated during a Knesset session that he advanced it at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This occurred despite Netanyahu being barred from participating in decisions concerning Israeli media due to his ongoing criminal trial.
