Channel 14 Launches Intimidation Campaign Against Knesset Legal Advisor Amid Media Law Dispute

Channel 14 has initiated a campaign targeting Shagit Afik, the Knesset’s legal advisor, who is expected to provide a critical opinion to the Supreme Court on procedural flaws in the recently passed Media Weakening Law. The channel, which was set to receive regulatory benefits worth tens of millions under this law, aired a promotional teaser for a report titled "Who Took Over the Knesset?" that portrays Afik in a negative light. The teaser includes a clip of Afik warning that any Knesset member who speaks out against the law risks losing their position.

The Media Minister, Shlomo Karhi, who has given favorable interviews to Channel 14 and even recommended watching it in the Knesset despite not owning a TV, was interviewed for the report. Karhi stated, "If we hesitate and fear, then the problem is ours." Another guest in the investigative piece is Likud MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan, a co-sponsor of the Media Weakening Law, who acknowledged the serious conflict the law presents.

Afik’s legal opinion highlights significant procedural defects in the law’s expedited passage, although it did not prevent the law’s advancement. This opinion is central to ongoing Supreme Court petitions challenging the law. Recently, the Supreme Court issued an injunction freezing parts of the law’s implementation, citing "serious claims" regarding both the legislative process and the law’s provisions. The injunction suspends i24NEWS’s approval to broadcast via cable and satellite and halts advertising permissions for multi-channel platforms yes and HOT.

The campaign against Afik comes as Channel 14 seeks to benefit from the law it helped promote, raising concerns about media independence and legislative integrity in Israel.