Israeli Broadcaster Slams Journalist Over Alleged Ties to PM's Aide
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Channel 13 host Rivka Drucker criticized Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal over alleged close ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's advisor, Yonatan Urich. Drucker argued such relationships compromise journalistic ethics, comparing Segal to "court journalists" of dictators. He dismissed claims of legal consequences for discussing the matter, suggesting Segal's aim is to silence critics. The incident fuels debate on journalistic independence from political figures.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Channel 13 host Rivka Drucker criticized Channel 12 commentator Amit Segal over alleged close ties with PM Netanyahu's advisor.
- Drucker argued that Segal's relationship with Yonatan Urich compromises journalistic ethics and independence.
- He compared Segal's alleged practices to those of journalists close to dictators like Nasser and Putin.
- Drucker dismissed claims that discussing the matter could lead to legal trouble.
- The incident has sparked debate about the boundaries between journalists and politicians in Israel.
Channel 13 host Rivka Drucker has sharply criticized senior Channel 12 political commentator Amit Segal regarding alleged communications between Segal and Yonatan Urich, a close advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Drucker questioned the journalistic ethics involved in the exposed relationship, which reportedly involved Urich seeking Segal's advice on Netanyahu's campaign.
Drucker outlined what he characterized as Segal's defense, presenting three points: that 'everyone does it,' that the relationship is a 'delicate tango' that helps secure scoops, and that discussing it could lead to jail time. Drucker countered these claims, stating that no "worthy" journalist engages in such practices and that in his 33-year career, he has never approached such proximity to political figures he covers.
Addressing the idea that such connections yield exclusive information, Drucker drew a parallel to Mohamed Heikal, a prominent Egyptian journalist and confidant of President Nasser, suggesting that while scoops might be obtained, it compromises journalistic independence. He further compared the situation to journalists close to political leaders like Putin, concluding that such figures are often found with "most dictators" but are not true journalists.
Regarding the threat of legal repercussions for discussing the matter, Drucker dismissed it, asserting that public interest outweighs privacy concerns, unless Netanyahu wins an upcoming election. Drucker concluded with a jab at Segal, suggesting his efforts are aimed not at getting scoops, but at jailing his critics. The exchange highlights ongoing public debate about the boundaries between journalists and politicians and the balance between obtaining information and maintaining professional autonomy.
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