Israeli Journalists Clash Over Political Advisor Role

Channel 12 journalist Ilan Lokač sharply criticized political commentator Amit Segal on Tuesday, accusing him of betraying viewer trust and damaging the news company where both are employed. Lokač's criticism, published on X, was a response to a post by journalist Hagai Segal, Amit Segal's father, who defended his son against accusations stemming from leaked WhatsApp messages.

These messages, allegedly between Amit Segal and Jonathan Uriach, an advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were published on an anonymous website. Reports indicate the conversations involved political messaging and advice on speeches and campaigns. Lokač argued that a political commentator assisting in drafting or refining speeches goes beyond a professional relationship with a source, calling it a "breach of viewer trust." He also claimed Uriach was used to relay messages originating from an enemy state, concluding that Amit Segal had committed "suicide bombing" at the news company and harmed innocent people.

Amit Segal addressed the publications on Sunday during the program "Seven with Keren Marziano." He stated that the relationship between a journalist and a source includes exchanging opinions and consultations, not just receiving information. Segal explained that he has historically reviewed draft speeches and campaign plans from individuals he covers to offer his perspective, denying that professional boundaries were crossed. He asserted that similar relationships exist with figures from various parties, not exclusively from Likud, and criticized the exposure of private correspondence.

Uriach, through his lawyers Amit Haddad and Noa Milstein, issued a statement claiming his WhatsApp account was hacked and that some conversations were altered or added. The statement threatened legal action against those publishing or distributing the messages. Uriach's claim of content alteration necessitates distinguishing between attributed messages and verified facts.

The dispute centers on the line between cultivating relationships with political sources and providing advice on public messaging. Segal views the exchanges as part of his journalistic work, while Lokač contends the alleged involvement exceeds professional journalistic norms.