Movement for Quality Government Demands Channel 14 Move News Operations to Jerusalem by August Deadline
The Movement for Quality Government has called on the Second Authority for Television and Radio to enforce the relocation of Channel 14's news operations to Jerusalem by the end of August, when the current extension expires. The movement argues that the legal exemption allowing Channel 14 to broadcast from outside Jerusalem ended in February 2026 and that no further extensions should be granted without legal authority. According to the Second Authority Law, news operations must be based in Jerusalem, but a three-year exemption was granted to small license holders, which the movement claims expired for Channel 14 in February 2026.
On July 7, the Second Authority's council decided to postpone enforcement of this requirement until either the Communications Law (Broadcasting) is legislated or until the end of August 2026, whichever comes first. The council justified this extension citing ongoing legislative processes and the costs and complexities involved in relocating the news operations. However, the Movement for Quality Government contends that the new law's provisions are currently frozen due to pending petitions in the Supreme Court, so the existing law should be enforced.
The movement also criticized Channel 14 for failing to submit its 2025 revenue data, which is necessary to verify its status as a "small license holder" and the related regulatory benefits. They demand clarity from the Second Authority on its plans after the August deadline, noting that Channel 14 continues to broadcast from Modiin and has not initiated the move to Jerusalem. If another extension is considered, the movement insists the authority must provide the legal basis and rationale for such a decision.
Attorney Yaniv Goldberg, head of the movement's economic department, emphasized that the exemption period clearly ended in February and that the authority is obligated to enforce the law as it stands. He warned that failure to enforce the law and the lack of revenue data submission raise serious concerns about regulatory compliance. Goldberg stressed that the Second Authority must act as a fair and consistent regulator within its legal powers.
