Public Broadcaster Staff Operate in a Comfortable Bubble With No Accountability
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
An opinion piece criticizes Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan 11, for its underperforming current affairs programs, attributing the issues to a lack of competition and accountability. Broadcaster Ayala Hasson's refusal to apologize and subsequent program cancellation is presented as a symptom of a larger problem. The author argues that employees operate in a comfortable, taxpayer-funded bubble, leading to mediocrity and a silencing of dissenting views, particularly those of Hasson.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Public broadcaster Kan 11's current affairs programs are underperforming due to a lack of competition and accountability.
- Broadcaster Ayala Hasson was allegedly silenced for deviating from the expected narrative, unlike Eyal Berkovich who was suspended for substantive reasons.
- The article claims Kan 11's news programs are unbalanced, excluding certain political groups.
- Employees are described as operating in a comfortable, taxpayer-funded bubble with no external pressure.
- Hasson is portrayed as a rare, talented journalist targeted for her right-leaning views.
The article criticizes the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Kan 11, suggesting its current affairs programs are underperforming due to a lack of competition and a comfortable, taxpayer-funded environment. The author argues that employees, some of whom may not have succeeded in other networks, are insulated from external pressures, leading to a lack of drive for engaging or challenging content. This creates a "warm bubble" where employees are primarily concerned with satisfying their colleagues rather than the public.
The piece uses the case of broadcaster Ayala Hasson as an example. Hasson reportedly refused her managers' demand for a televised apology and announced she would not continue her program. The author posits that this situation, along with a tweet from "Moreno" (unidentified), highlights a lack of awareness, political considerations, and inflated egos among management and staff. Hasson is portrayed as a professional and talented journalist, a rarity within the corporation, who has been targeted by colleagues and commentators for her right-leaning views, a situation the author likens to "modern Bolshevism" and the imposition of a uniform opinion.
Unlike Eyal Berkovich, who was suspended for substantive reasons, Hasson was allegedly silenced for deviating from the expected narrative. The article also claims that Kan 11's news programs are not balanced, excluding certain political groups like "Bibi-ists," Likud supporters, and Shas supporters, while Hasson's broadcasts offered more diversity. The public's indifference to the perceived waste of funds is attributed to the existence of numerous other state-funded, seemingly unproductive organizations.
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