Israeli Journalist Slams Colleague Over Leaked Texts
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Journalist Ilan Lokatsh fiercely criticized political commentator Amit Segal for allegedly assisting Yonatan Urich in crafting political speeches, accusing Segal of betraying viewer trust and damaging their employer, Channel 12 News. Segal defended his actions, stating that journalist-source relationships involve consultation and condemned the leak of private messages. The controversy was further fueled by a sarcastic tweet from Segal's father regarding media objectivity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Journalist Ilan Lokatsh accused colleague Amit Segal of betraying viewers' trust over leaked texts.
- Lokatsh stated Segal's actions constituted a "suicide bombing" against their employer, Channel 12 News.
- The leaked messages show Segal allegedly helping Yonatan Urich refine political speeches.
- Amit Segal defended the practice as a normal part of journalist-source consultation.
- Segal condemned the leak of private communications as a criminal act.
- Hagai Segal, Amit's father, sarcastically praised the media's focus on the incident.
Journalist Ilan Lokatsh has launched a scathing attack on his colleague, political commentator Amit Segal, following the exposure of text messages between Segal and Yonatan Urich. Lokatsh accused Segal of betraying viewers' trust and harming their employer, Channel 12 News.
"A political commentator who rewrites and sharpens a politician's campaign opening speech is not a delicate tango but a breach of viewer trust, and Urich is not a source but a feeding tube for spins manufactured by an enemy state," Lokatsh wrote. He concluded his remarks by stating, "Amit committed a suicide bombing against Channel 12 News and hurt innocent people."
The controversy stems from leaked text messages in which Segal allegedly helped Urich refine political messages and speeches. The dissemination of these private conversations is prohibited and constitutes a violation of privacy.
Amit Segal addressed the controversy, explaining that the relationship between journalists and their sources often involves more than just information exchange, including discussions and consultations. He likened the process to a "very delicate tango between the one being covered and the reporter, between a source and a journalist," which can involve exchanging views. Segal also criticized the leak itself, calling it a "terrible and criminal" act and suggesting similar or more extensive exchanges exist with other political figures.
The dispute was amplified by a tweet from Hagai Segal, Amit Segal's father, who sarcastically commented on the media's intense focus on the affair, suggesting it was a golden age for Hebrew journalism due to its supposed adherence to objectivity.
