Ex-Kan Journalist Slams Broadcaster's Management Over Ayelet Hasson Case
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Former Kan news correspondent Michael Shמש criticized the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation's management for their handling of journalist Ayelet Hasson's case. Shמש called the management's actions unprecedented and questioned the timing, occurring after elections. He expressed concern for press freedom and warned that the situation could affect any journalist, stating he had not seen similar management responses during his nine years at the broadcaster.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Former Kan correspondent Michael Shמש criticized broadcaster management over the Ayelet Hasson dispute.
- Shמש cited unprecedented management flexibility and questionable timing after elections.
- He expressed concern for press freedom and warned of a dangerous precedent.
- Shמש stated he had not seen similar management responses in his nine years at Kan.
- His criticism is not about agreeing with Hasson's views but about principles.
Former Kan news correspondent Michael Shמש has sharply criticized the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation's management for their handling of a dispute involving journalist Ayelet Hasson. Shמש, who recently left Kan after nine years, expressed shock at the timing of actions taken against Hasson, particularly occurring a week after elections and with a government that lost its Knesset majority.
"I would not want to live in a country where, a week after elections, public broadcasting managers show unprecedented management flexibility towards a media personality considered identified one way or another with supporters of the government that has just lost its majority in the Knesset," Shמש wrote on his X account.
Shמש clarified that his criticism was not about agreeing with Hasson's statements but stemmed from deep concern for press freedom and against selective enforcement. He warned that Hasson's situation could set a precedent for any journalist. "Today it's Ayelet Hasson, with whose opinions I often disagree, and tomorrow it could be any media person, journalist, or presenter in Israel," he stated.
Reflecting on his decade at Kan, Shמש added, "I am very sensitive to statements regarding minorities, and I well remember the last ten years and the countless statements that turned my stomach. Even in this place, which was my home, I do not recall a similar management response to what we have seen now." He concluded with a disclosure of his continued affection for the broadcaster, hoping its management would "wisely do the right thing."
