Channel 12 Journalist Slams Colleague Over Campaign Speech Involvement
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Senior Channel 12 journalist Ilan Lukatch has strongly condemned colleague Amit Segal for allegedly helping draft a political campaign speech for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor. The leaked communications sparked outrage over ethical boundaries in journalism. Segal defended his actions, describing it as a common exchange of information and opinions with sources. Lukatch called Segal's actions a breach of trust and a "suicide attack" on the news organization.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Journalist Ilan Lukatch accused colleague Amit Segal of "suicide attack" on Channel 12 for drafting a campaign speech.
- Leaked communications suggest Segal assisted Prime Minister Netanyahu's advisor Jonathan Uriach with a political speech.
- Segal defended his actions as a common practice of exchanging information and opinions with sources.
- Lukatch called the alleged involvement a breach of trust and Uriach a conduit for "spin."
- The controversy touches on ethical boundaries between journalism and political advising.
Ilan Lukatch, a senior journalist at Channel 12's news division, has publicly criticized his colleague, political commentator Amit Segal. The controversy erupted following the leak of internal communications between Segal and Jonathan Uriach, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The leaked messages suggested Segal was involved in drafting and refining the opening speech for a political campaign.
This alleged blurring of lines between journalistic work and political strategic advising has drawn sharp public and media criticism. Amit Segal addressed the issue, stating that journalists receive information through a delicate "tango" between the surveyed and the surveyor, the source and the journalist. He admitted that individuals he covered had provided him with draft speeches, asking for his opinion on their campaign strategies.
Amit Segal's father, veteran journalist Hagai Segal, attempted to defend his son, sarcastically remarking on the media's supposed heightened concern for objectivity. However, this defense provoked a strong reaction from Ilan Lukatch. Lukatch declared that a political commentator rewriting a politician's campaign speech is not a "delicate tango" but a breach of viewer trust.
Lukatch further stated that Uriach is not a source but a conduit for "spin" from an "enemy state." He accused Amit Segal of committing a "suicide attack" on Channel 12 News, harming innocent colleagues. The leaked communications involving Uriach are also linked to the ongoing "Qatargate" affair, where details emerged of Uriach using ChatGPT in September 2024 to devise strategies for altering public perception of Qatar.
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