Keshet 12 Files Supreme Court Petition Against Communications Law Citing Media Bias and Economic Harm

Keshet 12 has filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court challenging the new Communications Law promoted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The petition argues that the legislation is discriminatory and politically motivated, aiming to financially weaken media outlets critical of the government while favoring those supportive of it. Keshet points to public statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister Karhi disparaging Channel 12, including Netanyahu’s tweet calling it "Panic 12" and Karhi’s remarks about dismantling a "left-wing monopoly on consciousness." This is the eleventh petition filed against the law, which was temporarily frozen by Justice Ofer Groskopf shortly after its passage in the Knesset.

The petition highlights a recent violent incident where the entrance door to Channel 12’s newsroom in Tel Aviv was smashed, linking such attacks to the hostile atmosphere fostered by the law and government rhetoric. Keshet claims the law unfairly forces it to transfer its linear broadcast to commercial platforms without compensation and strips it of 90 minutes of catch-up content, a unique and unprecedented arrangement in Israel and globally. This content transfer benefits competitors like HOT and yes, who were previously restricted from operating in these areas.

Keshet also accuses the law of arbitrarily exempting Channel 14, a pro-government outlet, from these requirements, violating principles of equality. The law imposes heavy regulatory burdens on Keshet, including oversight, ethics rules, and licensing fees, while granting economic advantages and regulatory relief to government-aligned channels and platforms. Additionally, the law discourages production of satirical programs like "Eretz Nehederet," which regularly criticize the government, by creating negative financial incentives.

The petition further criticizes the removal of structural separation between broadcasters and news companies, alleging it enables political pressure and threats against media owners who do not align with the government. Keshet 12 is represented by several law firms and its legal advisor Dan Fogelman. The case underscores ongoing tensions between the Israeli government and independent media over freedom of the press and regulatory control.