Full Breakdown
Israeli Attorney-General Seeks Full Freeze of New Broadcasting Law
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Request for a Comprehensive Freeze
Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara asked the High Court of Justice on Thursday night to suspend the entire Broadcasting Law pending the outcome of eleven petitions challenging it. The petitions, filed by media companies, journalists’ groups, and civil-society organizations, argue that the law was passed without proper professional review and that its provisions could trigger irreversible business and ownership changes. Justice Ofer Grosskopf had issued a temporary order on July 19 blocking only the provisions slated to take effect immediately; Baharav-Miara now seeks to extend that freeze to the whole statute.
Legislative Background and Procedural Concerns
The Knesset approved the law by a 53-48 vote on July 16, shortly before the parliament dissolved, and the text was published on July 28. Baharav-Miara contended that the bill reached the Knesset without the attorney-general’s approval and despite the Regulation Authority’s identification of “substantial problems” in the Communications Ministry’s impact assessment. She further argued that the special committee, chaired by Likud MK Galit Distel Atbaryan, held roughly 60 rapid-succession meetings, introduced major revisions near the deadline, and left members insufficient time to study or influence the draft. Legal advisers repeatedly requested updated drafts and more time, warning that they could not complete their review before the final vote.
Potential Market Impact
According to the filing, the law would replace two existing regulators with a single body and alter rules on channel distribution, news broadcasting, media ownership, and investment in Israeli productions. A late amendment raises the annual revenue ceiling for a “small license” from NIS 80 million to NIS 2 billion, allowing broadcasters Keshet and Reshet to air news without maintaining separate news companies from January 1, 2027. The legislation also removes certain ownership restrictions immediately, while a replacement approval system will not take effect for two years, creating a window for concentration of media assets that could be difficult to unwind.
Official Positions & Responses
Baharav-Miara emphasized that the law’s rushed passage and the minister’s direct involvement—Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi helped draft and change almost every major provision—undermine Knesset independence. She warned that proceeding with the law could prompt broadcasters, investors, and distributors to make long-term decisions under rules that might later be invalidated, especially concerning news and current-affairs broadcasting during an election period.
Karhi, represented separately because of a conflict of interest, rejected the court’s authority to freeze the legislation, accusing the court and the attorney-general of protecting established media organizations.
