Ayelet Hasson Resigns From Public Broadcasting Corporation, Citing Censorship
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Journalist Ayelet Hasson announced her resignation from the Public Broadcasting Corporation on Tuesday, citing censorship and the silencing of diverse voices. She stated that a demand to read a dictated apology on air was the breaking point, highlighting a perceived erosion of journalistic independence. Hasson emphasized that her departure is a principled stand for the representation of all Israeli citizens who fund public broadcasting. She assured her viewers that her journalistic mission continues and hinted at a return to television soon.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Ayelet Hasson resigned from the Public Broadcasting Corporation citing censorship.
- Hasson stated a demand to read a dictated apology was the breaking point.
- She believes the corporation is silencing voices inconvenient to a specific camp.
- Hasson asserted public broadcasting belongs to all Israeli citizens, not one camp.
- She thanked supporters and vowed to continue her journalistic mission.
- Hasson hinted at a return to television soon.
Journalist Ayelet Hasson announced Tuesday her decision to end her professional career at the Public Broadcasting Corporation, following a publicized dispute with the corporation's management. In a resignation statement, Hasson sharply criticized the system's conduct, alleging that instead of defending freedom of expression and diversity of opinions, certain elements within the corporation seek to silence voices they find inconvenient.
"I will not be part of a system that seeks to silence entire, significant voices in the people of Israel to please a certain camp," Hasson wrote, clarifying that her decision was principled rather than merely professional. She stated her belief in the importance of diverse voices in Israeli society was her reason for staying, viewing it as a journalistic and public mission. However, she felt the system increasingly failed to represent all segments of the public.
The breaking point, according to Hasson, was a series of recent events, particularly a demand that she read a dictated apology on air. "The ultimatum presented to me to read a dictated apology on air illustrated how much journalistic independence has been harmed at the corporation," she wrote, calling it a symptom of a deeper problem.
Hasson emphasized that her issue is not personal but concerns the silencing of an entire public segment that funds public broadcasting through taxes and deserves representation. "Public broadcasting is not the property of any camp. It belongs to all citizens of Israel," she added.
Despite her criticism, Hasson stated her resignation does not mark the end of her journalistic career. She thanked viewers and supporters for tens of thousands of messages of encouragement, which reinforced her belief that the struggle transcends her personal situation and relates to the place of diverse voices in public discourse. She hinted at a swift return to television, stating, "My path continues and I am sure we will meet again on screen soon."
She concluded her statement with a firm message: "I am not the story. The public is the story. And they will not succeed in silencing its voice. Its voice will be heard. It will be heard."
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