Israeli Broadcaster Ayla Hasson Releases Correspondence Amidst Dispute
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Kan 11 host Ayla Hasson released written exchanges with News Director Lior Landenberg, claiming they prove she was forced to read a dictated apology to appear on air. Hasson stated Landenberg demanded she read a specific text, threatening to bar her from broadcasting if she refused. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation denied dictating any text, accusing Hasson of harming election integrity and making generalizations. The controversy has sparked public debate among media professionals.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Host Ayla Hasson released correspondence to prove she was dictated an apology by News Director Lior Landenberg.
- Landenberg allegedly conditioned Hasson's broadcast appearance on reading a specific, dictated apology text.
- Hasson accused the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation of false denials and selective enforcement.
- The corporation denied dictating any text and accused Hasson of harming election integrity.
- The dispute has drawn criticism from other media figures and sparked public debate.
Ayla Hasson, a prominent host at Kan 11, has escalated her public dispute with the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation's management by releasing written correspondence. Hasson claims these documents prove that, contrary to the corporation's denials, she was dictated a specific apology and her appearance on air was conditioned on reading it.
In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hasson asserted that the corporation's response to the media was "false" and that the exchanges with Lior Landenberg, the News Division Director, clearly show he dictated an apology that distorted her words. She stated Landenberg demanded she read this specific apology as a prerequisite for her broadcast.
Hasson shared Landenberg's written message, which explicitly stated, "If you do not intend to read this apology, I ask that you inform me as soon as possible so I can prepare a broadcast alternative." Hasson emphasized that this was not an apology she was to formulate herself but a dictated text, and her broadcast was contingent upon reading it.
She questioned the corporation's denial, suggesting that admitting a news director coerced a journalist into reading a statement she did not write, under threat of not appearing on air, would raise serious questions about journalistic freedom, independence, and ethical conduct.
Hasson further detailed that after consulting the corporation's legal counsel, Landenberg initially suggested a revised text could be reached. However, she claims he later rejected her clarified and apologetic version, insisting on the original dictated text. Hasson criticized this as selective enforcement, contrasting it with the corporation's alleged leniency towards severe statements against societal sectors and IDF soldiers.
The dispute has drawn reactions from other media figures. Lawyer Kineret Barashi defended Hasson, calling the situation "dangerous and crazy," while former corporation reporter Michael Shemesh criticized the management's actions and timing.
Mentioned
