i24NEWS Seeks to Defend Israeli Communications Law in Supreme Court

Israeli news channel i24NEWS has filed a request to join as a respondent in petitions submitted to the Supreme Court against the communications law proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The channel argues that accepting the petitions could cause it direct and severe harm, especially if the interim injunction freezing parts of the law remains in place. The law aims to reduce outdated regulatory frameworks in the broadcasting sector, lower entry barriers for new and young players, increase competition, and diversify television content.

The Supreme Court had previously issued an interim injunction halting the immediate enforcement of certain provisions of the law. i24NEWS contends that some petitions explicitly or implicitly claim that parts of the law uniquely benefit the channel, placing it at the center of the dispute. The channel insists it must be allowed to respond to these claims during the injunction hearing to ensure a fair process.

By joining the case, i24NEWS says it will provide the court with a comprehensive understanding of its status, licensing, ownership structure, and the practical consequences of delaying the law’s implementation. This involvement would prevent key issues affecting the channel from being decided without its participation. The channel also notes that the court’s issuance of the interim injunction underscores the importance of examining the law’s immediate effects, reinforcing the need to include directly impacted parties like itself.

Ultimately, i24NEWS requests the court to officially include it as a respondent to ensure decisions on the injunction and the petitions are based on a full factual and legal foundation. The channel warns it could suffer direct harm from the case’s outcome and be bound by rulings made without its input if excluded.