Controversy over plan to reform Israeli public broadcasting
Minister Ofir Akunis, who is responsible for reforming public broadcasting, tells Al-Monitor that contrary to accusations by the left, his reform plan is designed to rebuild an independent entity, reflecting more "balanced" views.
“Israeli Army Radio should stand fully behind the Israeli position and back the IDF [Israel Defense Forces],” says Minister Ofir Akunis, who is in charge of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and the Second Television and Radio Authority. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kept the Communications Ministry for himself in the present government, which testifies to the issue’s importance for him, he gave Akunis, a senior Likud member, the authority to deal with the hot potato called the “Reform of the Broadcasting Authority.” The Israeli Broadcasting Authority has been declared bankrupt and awaits structural reform. Akunis quickly became the target of attack by the opposition, who claim that he’s working to increase the right wing's control over public Broadcasting.
In an interview with Al-Monitor, the minister without portfolio explains why these accusations are “an urban myth,” arguing that the media in Israel is tilted toward the left and details his vision for a balanced public broadcasting — but surprises with the statement that the army’s radio station doesn’t have to be “balanced” but should totally back the Israeli position.
Al-Monitor: At the beginning of September, as the government’s budget is presented, the bill for the Public Broadcasting Law will be brought before the Knesset. What’s your opinion on the harsh criticism of this law, according to which it would lead to the Broadcasting Authority’s dependence on the prime minister?
Akunis: I am now working to ensure the existence of public broadcasting in Israel to be as strong and independent as commercial broadcasting. The right models are public broadcasting in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.
