Orthodox Journalists Council Appoints Legal Advisor Amidst Rising Threats

The Orthodox Journalists Council has announced the appointment of Adv. The Legal Advisor as its legal advisor. In this capacity, the Legal Advisor will provide initial legal counsel to council members facing warning letters and threats of lawsuits stemming from their journalistic work. This appointment follows the council's founding conference several months prior, held at the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem. The conference was initiated by the Zarhiah Foundation and attended by approximately 100 media professionals from various Orthodox media outlets.

The council, registered as "The Orthodox Journalists Council (R.A.)", aims to unite and represent journalists from the Orthodox community, bolster their professional independence, and encourage the publication of investigative reports and public interest stories. Providing legal support and guidance to members was a stated goal from its inception, and the council is now formalizing this with an appointed advisor to address actual inquiries.

The Legal Advisor, a managing partner at the firm Dr. Y. The Legal Advisor & Co., specializes in defamation and copyright cases. His doctoral research focused on the prohibition of defamation in Halakha (Jewish law) and its comparison to various legal systems, including Israeli law. He also teaches a course on "Defamation in Halakha and Law" at Bar-Ilan University.

The Legal Advisor expressed his pleasure in supporting Orthodox media, noting its significant expansion in recent years and the inadequacy of existing legal support. The council plans to host a conference soon to address journalistic challenges, including journalists' rights, handling defamation lawsuits, and copyright issues. Legal support will be extended to conference participants following its conclusion.

The appointment of the Legal Advisor is seen as a significant step in strengthening the professional infrastructure of Orthodox journalism. The council joins other professional bodies in the media landscape that offer legal assistance to their members, enabling Orthodox journalists to navigate legal challenges with professional guidance. Operating under the Zarhiah Foundation, the council's objective is to enhance the professional independence of Orthodox journalists, allowing them to pursue quality journalism without fear of legal pressure. The legal support is intended to offer initial assistance and referrals for further action when necessary.