Israeli Broadcaster Accuses Kan Corporation of Lying, Dictating Statements

Israeli journalist Ayla Hasson has publicly accused the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan, of lying and engaging in a severe breach of press freedom. The dispute escalated after Kan issued a statement claiming no one dictated Hasson's response, a claim she vehemently denied.

Hasson posted a sharp response on social media, attaching a screenshot of a direct exchange with Lior Landenberg, Kan's News Division Director. She alleged that Landenberg dictated the wording of an apology that distorted her words and attributed meanings she did not intend, demanding she read it on air as a condition for her appearance. Hasson presented Landenberg's written message stating, "If you do not intend to read this apology, please let me know as soon as possible so I can prepare a broadcast alternative."

She argued that Kan's attempt to distance itself from dictating the text aimed to obscure a deep blow to journalistic freedom. Hasson stated that acknowledging a news director forced a journalist to read a statement she did not write, under threat of not appearing on air, would raise serious questions about press freedom and the corporation's ethics. She accused the corporation of hypocrisy, noting its leniency towards severe statements against segments of Israeli society and IDF soldiers, while imposing unprecedented measures against her.

The controversy began with Hasson's remarks on Radio Galey Israel concerning Bedouin women and allegations of irregularities in Arab sector polling stations during elections. Following public criticism, Hasson apologized to the offended women, and the corporation's ethics committee accepted her apology. However, the news division insisted on a live on-air clarification and apology, including explicit reference to election integrity claims, which Hasson deemed baseless and generalizing.

Hasson claims she was given an ultimatum to read a specific, dictated text and refused, leading to her not broadcasting on Thursday. The conflict intensified when Hasson attacked Kan's leadership on the radio, vowing not to be silenced. Kan responded with a strong statement defending Landenberg and asserting that drafts were exchanged, not dictated text. Hasson's revelation of the correspondence suggests a deep and potentially irreparable rift between her and the corporation.