Channel 14 Staffer Accused of Tricking News 12 in Live Broadcast

A sensitive security event turned into a media embarrassment on Wednesday when an imposter successfully infiltrated a live broadcast of News 12. The individual, posing as a passenger on a dramatic flight, provided reporter Tamir Steinman with fictional accounts of turbulence. The hoax was revealed when the imposter mentioned being on the plane with his brother 'Nevo,' a shortened version of Nebuchadnezzar.

According to a report by Julian Levinson on the postnews website, Meir Shamtzov, a researcher for Channel 14, is allegedly behind the planned prank. Levinson's report suggests Shamtzov was involved in operating the imposter against News 12's researchers with the intention of disrupting the news company. Suspicion of this connection grew after footage of the prank was shared on the X account of the media outlet 'HaPargod'.

This is not Shamtzov's first media entanglement; about six weeks prior, he was linked to an embarrassing incident where Channel 14 aired "exclusive footage" of a woman mistakenly identified as former commando Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi.

Following Levinson's publication, News 12 began a serious investigation into the details. The news company stated that if the allegations prove true and the suspicion that Shamtzov orchestrated the event is confirmed, they intend to file a police complaint against him. In a conversation with Levinson, Guy Sodri, editor of News 12's broadcast, confirmed that the news company would "examine the option of filing a police complaint against the prankster."