Israeli Journalist Natali Shem Tov Reveals Reasons Behind Her Dismissal from Channel 13 News
Natali Shem Tov, an Israeli journalist and television presenter, publicly disclosed the reasons for her dismissal from Channel 13 News during a court hearing on Monday. The hearing was part of a lawsuit she filed against the news company. Ahead of the session, Shem Tov posted a sharp critique of the media outlet's conduct and accused it of attempts to tarnish her reputation. She addressed allegations from Channel 13 claiming she operated an extensive recording system against colleagues, clarifying that only 12 recordings over two years exist, mostly involving the CEO, which she made after suspecting non-professional motives behind efforts to end her employment.
Shem Tov described her dismissal as politically motivated, citing her critical views that clashed with the right-wing editorial line. She mentioned that her refusal to praise political figures like Naftali Bennett and her critical articles about Yair Lapid and Benjamin Netanyahu contributed to the conflict. The situation escalated when she declined to join a union protest against the appointment of Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich, leading to a workplace boycott, according to testimony by the content vice president. She also accused CEO Tali Ben Avdiya of undermining her work by restricting resources and blocking coverage of right-wing figures she proposed.
The final rupture reportedly occurred after Shem Tov agreed to host the official Mount Herzl ceremony and during the 'With a Lion' military operation when the company allegedly sidelined her from key broadcasts. Shem Tov stated, "I fought for my place, and she fired me." Despite the hardships and isolation she experienced, Shem Tov emphasized she does not regret standing firm, expressing confidence that justice will prevail.
