i24 News – Israel’s Knesset debated the Israeli media coverage of the recent terror attack in Tel Aviv, with journalists resisting calls by politicians for more stringent regulation.
The joint Public Security and Economics Committee session came after the Israel Police, Israel’s army, and the Shin Bet domestic security service sent a letter to media outlets condemning reporters for how they broadcast the event.
According to The Jerusalem Post (The Post), the goal of Tuesday’s session was not to hold a public hearing for the press but to discuss the lessons learned, Public Security Committee head Merav Ben-Ari said.
Along with Ben-Ari, the debate was notably attended by Israel’s Communications Minister Yoav Hendel as well as representatives of the Israel police and news channels.
“The lessons learned from the latest terror attack necessitates broad change,” said Hendel.
“In an ongoing shooting spree, the area needs to be closed off,” Hendel continued, criticizing how Israeli security forces initially handled the situation, The Post reported.
Referring to the media, Hendel said: “On Thursday there was lawlessness. In the current reality, when everything is broadcast live, it is extremely difficult to censor the material or for an editor to make decisions.”
“National security comes before competition between news agencies,” he added.
Media organizations countered with claims of encroachment on the freedom of press, according to The Post.
“We oppose litigation that limits media coverage,” said Anat Saragusti from the Union of Journalists in Israel.
“The press’ job is not to maintain national security… but rather to serve the public’s right to know and the public interest.”
