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Israel\u2019s journalists push back against a new media reform bill, filing a High Court petition over its rushed advancement.<\/p>\n
The Union of Journalists<\/a> in Israel petitioned the High Court of Justice on Monday against advancing a sweeping communications reform bill, headed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi<\/a> (Likud).<\/p>\n According to the petition, the process violates administrative law, ignores legal advice, and threatens the independence of the press. It demanded conditional and permanent injunctions against the advancement, as well as an urgent hearing on the matter.<\/p>\n In September, the Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved the proposed bill that is set to implement extensive reforms in Israel\u2019s media<\/a> landscape.<\/p>\n The union argued that the decision was made in a rushed and irregular process. It also referenced a legal advisory opinion issued shortly after the bill was introduced, stating that the reforms pose a concrete threat to the free press, are rife with substantive and procedural flaws, and require revision.<\/p>\n This means, the union said, that its advancement should be prevented until all legal issues are resolved.<\/p>\n Despite opposition, Karhi submitted the bill to the Knesset<\/a> on October 21. The petition noted that he acknowledged the bypassing of legal advice, describing the move as a historic first.<\/p>\n