Is Journalist Ayla Hasson Signaling Netanyahu's Exit?
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Journalist Ayla Hasson is facing criticism for her pro-Netanyahu reporting, which allegedly aligned with Likud talking points and downplayed the Prime Minister's responsibility for the October 7th failures. An investigation found she rarely criticized Netanyahu during hundreds of broadcasts. Hasson's role at the public broadcaster is seen by some as a strategic move to protect the institution from government threats. Recent controversial remarks have led to her apology, prompting speculation about whether this marks a turning point in public fear of Netanyahu and his influence.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Journalist Ayla Hasson is criticized for pro-Netanyahu reporting that aligned with Likud talking points.
- An investigation found Hasson rarely criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu in hundreds of broadcasts.
- Hasson's role at the public broadcaster is seen as a shield against government threats.
- Recent controversial remarks led to Hasson's apology, sparking speculation about Netanyahu's influence.
- The article questions if Hasson's situation signals a growing lack of fear towards Netanyahu.
Journalist Ayla Hasson has been criticized for years for her reporting, even before joining the public broadcaster. Like other mouthpieces for the outgoing Netanyahu government, she aligned her messaging with the Likud party's talking points, distinguishing between 'good' people, whom she promoted, and 'bad' people, including "Kaplanists" (protesters), security officials, the justice system, media, and the opposition. Hasson's propaganda is credited with helping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain in power after the October 7th massacre. Her program and guests served as his shield within the public broadcaster, with segments often shared on Netanyahu's Twitter, creating a feedback loop. Despite awareness of her biased reporting within the broadcaster, she was retained and even promoted, partly because CEO Golan Yochpaz and other executives found her presence convenient. She acted as a human shield against legislative threats to the broadcaster from Communications Minister Shlomo Karai and Netanyahu. An investigation by Aviv Hurwitz covering the two years since October 7th found that Hasson's programs, reports, and guests overwhelmingly served Netanyahu's agenda. Out of 475 programs and nearly 800 hours of her broadcasts, she criticized Netanyahu only four times for a total of 55 seconds, assigning him less responsibility for the "massacre and failure" than Menachem Begin, who resigned over 40 years prior. Hasson also blamed former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, current Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara (92 times), the State Prosecutor's Office (101 times), the opposition, military prosecution, pilots, the Military Advocate General, the Supreme Court, Shai Nitzan, Liat Ben Ari, the security establishment, Ehud Olmert, Yair Lapid, Herzi Halevi, Ronen Bar, past and present Shin Bet heads, Nitzan Alon, and the Israeli media. Even Dan Halutz was criticized on the night of the massacre. Hasson mirrored the Likud leadership's flip-flop on a state inquiry commission, initially supporting one before aligning with Netanyahu's directive. Her recent "racist and foolish" remarks about Bedouin women and envelopes for Arab voters were consistent with her daily reporting and Netanyahu's messages.
The article questions why these specific incidents are causing her to apologize now, suggesting it might signal a shift where people are no longer afraid of Netanyahu and his office, potentially heralding his departure from the political stage.
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