Israeli Supreme Court Judge Urges Equal Media Access Amid Election Coverage Dispute

Noam Sohlberg, Deputy President of the Israeli Supreme Court and Chair of the Central Elections Committee for the 26th Knesset, issued a letter on Wednesday emphasizing the importance of equal media access during the election period. He called on political parties to grant all media outlets open and fair access to public events and activities related to the elections, including press conferences, campaign headquarters, and election day coverage.

Sohlberg highlighted that elections in Israel are conducted through party lists, making parties central to political discourse and voter information. He stressed that freedom of expression and press are not only rights of the media but also essential for the public's right to information and democratic participation. He acknowledged that access restrictions can be justified on grounds such as security, safety, capacity, privacy, and operational limits, but these must be applied fairly and proportionately.

The letter was prompted by a recent legal petition filed by Channel 14 against the Democratic Party, seeking urgent court intervention after the party barred Channel 14 journalists from covering the primary results announcement event. Channel 14 claimed it was the only media outlet denied entry while others were allowed. Sohlberg referenced a 2022 court ruling involving a Jewish Israeli channel and the Meretz party to underline the legal and ethical standards for media access.

Sohlberg concluded by framing his letter as advisory rather than legally binding, urging parties to uphold transparency and equal media treatment to serve the public interest. He emphasized that denying journalists access effectively excludes the public they represent from receiving vital information during elections.