Public Broadcasting Corporation Denies Presenter's Claims, Cites 'Baseless Accusations'

Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) issued a sharp statement Saturday evening refuting claims made by presenter Ayelet Hasson against its management, accusing her of making baseless allegations. Hasson responded shortly after by releasing an exchange of messages with Lior Landenberg, Deputy CEO of the News Division, asserting it proved the corporation's management was not truthful.

The dispute escalated after Hasson announced she would not host her program due to an ultimatum she received, which she claimed forced her to read an apology she did not agree with. Kan condemned Hasson's recent remarks about its executives, particularly her assertion that some management members contributed to a public attack against her. The corporation stated these claims were especially serious given threats and incitement directed at Landenberg over the weekend.

Kan denied that Hasson was dictated an apology, stating that written drafts were exchanged between the parties before Hasson announced on social media that she would not appear on air. Hasson countered that Kan's statement was "false" and shared a screenshot of her correspondence with Landenberg. In a message to Hasson, Landenberg requested she inform him promptly if she did not intend to read a specific apology, so he could prepare a broadcast alternative. Hasson highlighted the phrase "this apology," arguing it showed she was not given a choice in its wording. She stated that after consulting the corporation's legal counsel, Landenberg agreed to discuss a revised text, but even her amended version was rejected.

Reports also emerged about Hasson potentially leaving the corporation due to the ongoing dispute. Kan also addressed Hasson's remarks regarding alleged irregularities in Arab sector ballot boxes, claiming that generalizing these suspicions could undermine public trust in election results. The corporation criticized other statements she made about women in Bedouin society, deeming them beyond the expected standards for public broadcasting journalists. Kan declared it would not tolerate generalizing, offensive statements or unfounded accusations regarding the integrity of Israeli elections.

Hasson, in turn, accused the corporation's management of selective enforcement and a double standard, citing more severe statements by other journalists that did not lead to similar actions. She rejected the claims of incitement against executives, calling it an attempt to silence legitimate public criticism. Kan affirmed its full support for Landenberg and its decisions regarding Hasson.