Israeli ministers have moved forward with a controversial bill aimed at privatizing Kan, the country’s last remaining public broadcaster. This bill, if passed, would effectively dismantle the public service broadcaster, shifting its operations into private hands and ending its status as a state-run entity.
The move has sparked significant backlash from media watchdogs, journalists, and civil rights groups, who argue that the privatization of Kan would undermine media pluralism and weaken the country’s media landscape. Kan has been a critical player in offering independent and diverse news coverage, particularly in an era where the media environment in Israel is increasingly dominated by private media conglomerates that are often influenced by political and business interests.
Supporters of the bill, mainly from the government’s right-wing factions, argue that privatization would allow Kan to become more competitive and financially sustainable, reducing the burden on taxpayers. They claim that the shift would make the broadcaster more efficient and innovative by adopting a more market-driven model.
However, opponents view the bill as a direct attack on media independence. They argue that privatizing Kan would result in a concentration of media ownership, with fewer outlets providing a broad range of views and critical reporting. Many worry that such a move could increase political control over the media and limit the space for dissenting voices, particularly at a time when there are growing concerns about government interference in media freedom in Israel.
If passed, the bill would mark a significant shift in Israel’s media policy, ending the era of publicly funded broadcasters in the country. The move is seen as part of broader efforts by the current government to reshape Israeli media, following a pattern of increasing scrutiny of journalists and independent media outlets that are critical of government actions.