Israeli Investigative Journalist Chen Lieberman Reflects on Media Challenges and Political Pressures
Chen Lieberman, a prominent Israeli investigative journalist, recently spoke in an in-depth podcast interview about her transition from the cultural sector to investigative journalism and her experiences leading the first season of the investigative program "Zman Emet" on Kan alongside her work at Reshet Bet radio. Lieberman discussed the challenges of producing investigative journalism in a politically charged environment, emphasizing that the show adopts a thesis-driven approach, choosing stories to tell even without the "smoking gun," and then rigorously proving them with evidence.
She highlighted the impact of their investigations, such as exposing methods to manipulate elections and addressing violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank, noting the positive public response despite anticipating backlash. Lieberman also reflected on the difficulties of confronting political falsehoods, especially regarding the government's report blaming the Israeli Supreme Court for the failures of the October 7 attacks, stressing the importance of investigative journalism in debunking misinformation.
Regarding her media career, Lieberman recounted her move from Channel 13 to Channel 12's "Zman Emet," seeking a platform to express her voice more fully and develop her own journalistic style. She criticized the panel format on morning shows, where she felt pressured to voice opinions without genuine engagement, and described feeling marginalized at Channel 12 due to her political stances, which some colleagues labeled as "not light" or "too left-wing." She recounted tensions with fellow journalist Avri Gilad, who reportedly disliked her presence on panels.
Lieberman also addressed her activism against sexual harassment, particularly criticizing the management of Radio Tel Aviv for dismissing serious allegations against its CEO, Didi Harari. She shared her decision to publicly speak out despite potential professional risks.
The journalist touched on a public dispute with colleague Amit Segal, who threatened legal action over a correction she made to his Telegram posts, illustrating the fraught nature of media interactions within the same corporate group.
Finally, Lieberman expressed skepticism about Channel 13's current ownership and direction, warning against attempts to mimic Channel 12's style and emphasizing the need for authenticity and pride in one's journalistic identity. She also commented on the ongoing political pressures faced by the public broadcaster Kan, expressing confidence that it will survive despite government threats to shut it down.
Throughout the interview, Lieberman underscored the importance of investigative journalism in Israel's complex political landscape and her commitment to telling difficult stories despite professional and political obstacles.
