Keshet 12 Joins Legal Challenge Against Israeli Broadcasting Law Citing Political Bias

Keshet 12 has filed a petition to Israel's Supreme Court challenging the recently passed Broadcasting Law spearheaded by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. This move adds Keshet to a growing list of 10 petitions submitted by civil organizations, journalists' unions, Channel 12 News, and the Kan 11 public broadcaster. The petition accuses Minister Karhi of orchestrating a politically motivated legislative process aimed at economically weakening media outlets critical of the government. It describes the law as a "personalized legislation" targeting Keshet 12 specifically, with the intent to restrain and punish it.

The petition highlights that the law forces Keshet alone to transfer its linear broadcast to commercial platforms without compensation and removes 90 minutes of catch-up content, a precedent-setting measure in Israel and globally. This content, produced at a cost of hundreds of millions of shekels, would be handed over free of charge to competitors like HOT and Yes, who also benefit from economic advantages and extended adjustment periods under the law. Keshet and Reshet are required to invest heavily in premium content from the outset, effectively subsidizing their rivals.

The petition also criticizes the law's negative impact on satirical programming, singling out the popular show "Eretz Nehederet" as a government target due to its critical satire. Contrary to the minister's promise to reduce regulation, the law increases regulatory burdens on Keshet 12, including oversight, ethics rules, and licensing fees, while granting benefits to pro-government media. The removal of structural separation between broadcasters and news companies is seen as a political move to enable direct pressure on media owners not aligned with the government, while allowing government-friendly owners to maintain editorial control.

Keshet 12 points out that all professional bodies, including the Ministry of Justice, the Communications Ministry's legal advisors, the Competition Authority, and the Knesset's legal counsel, opposed the law's provisions. The petition also references recent violent attacks on Channel 12 News offices as symptomatic of the dangerous climate fostered by the law. Keshet calls on the government and Minister Karhi to cease incitement against the free press. The law was passed in the Knesset this week with support from the Shas party following guidance from Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef. Keshet is represented by law firms Crispin Rubinstein Belcher Kadosh & Co., Goldfarb Gross Zeligman & Co., and its legal advisor Dan Fogelman.