Ayla Hasson Resigns from Public Broadcasting Corporation After Ultimatum

Journalist Ayla Hasson announced on Tuesday her departure from the Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) after refusing to apologize for her on-air statements. Hasson stated on social media platform X that she would not be part of a system that seeks to silence segments of the Israeli public to appease a specific faction. She explained that while she initially viewed her role at Kan 11 as a public and journalistic mission, she increasingly felt the corporation was prioritizing appeasing certain groups over defending freedom of expression, even at the cost of suppressing other voices.

Hasson cited a series of recent events, particularly the ultimatum demanding a written apology for her remarks concerning Bedouin women and allegations of serious voting irregularities in Arab communities, as evidence of the erosion of journalistic independence within the PBC. She asserted that these events demonstrated how severely journalistic independence had been compromised.

Previously, the management of the PBC's News Division had given Hasson an ultimatum: issue a broadcast clarification and apology for her comments on Bedouin women and alleged voting failures in Arab communities, or be barred from broadcasting. In response, Hasson refused to present her program that evening. She published a sharp post on social media accusing the News Division Director, Lior Landeberg, of attempting to force her to read a pre-written statement, threatening her with suspension if she refused. Hasson subsequently released recordings of her conversations with Landeberg, which drew strong condemnation from the corporation.