Israeli journalists fear for press freedom if UK billionaire sells TV channel stake | Israel

Israeli journalists have called on a British billionaire not to proceed with the sale of shares in an Israeli television channel, warning that it would be a serious blow to the independence of the country’s media.

Sir Leonard Blavatnik, ranked by the Sunday Times as Britain’s third richest person, is selling a nearly 15 percent stake in commercial channel Channel 13, which has broadcast critical news about Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in recent years, including investigations into the prime minister’s financial affairs.

Blavatnik is selling to telecommunications tycoon Patrick Drahi, who has French, Portuguese and Israeli nationals. Drahi already owns a cable television company in Israel and a news channel that is less critical of Netanyahu.

The rest of Drahi’s business empire is heavily in debt and he is embroiled in a legal battle with his creditors in the United States.

The Israeli Journalists Association issued a statement calling the sale “an unlawful deal that could further erode press freedom in the country” and described it as part of the Netanyahu government’s “master plan to take over the media” ahead of this year’s scheduled elections.

“The Journalists Union is confident that Sir Blavatnik, known for his generous philanthropy, will not support any movement that would undermine press freedom in Israel,” the statement said.

Blavatnik is selling just under a 15% stake in Channel 13; This is the maximum stake allowed under Israel’s competition laws to be sold to a rival with an existing media presence, but critics argue that as the sole investor in the channel (Blavatnik reportedly does not want to invest further after years of heavy losses) Drahi will retain actual control of the channel.

“While Patrick Drahi bought only 15%, our fear is that by buying 15% he will take over 100% of the channel’s policy,” said Anat Saragusti, whose Union of Journalists monitors press freedom. “Because if he’s the only one who can pour money into the channel and make it sustainable, that’s entirely up to him.”

“In terms of freedom of expression and diversity of opinion, this is a lose-lose situation for the Israeli people,” Saragusti added.

Drahi’s company, Altice, Netanyahu’s office and Israel’s communications ministry were approached for comment but did not respond.

Ayala Panievsky, vice-president of journalism at City St George’s, University of London, likened the fight over Channel 13 to the fate of the Washington Post under US billionaire Jeff Bezos, who pushed the Post closer to Donald Trump and last week laid off nearly a third of its workforce by laying off hundreds of journalists.

Panievsky published a book last year, The New Censorship: How the War on the Media is Bringing Us Downagainst the siege imposed on the free press by populists all over the world. He sees the Washington Post and Channel 13 cases as “part of a growing war on independent and critical journalism launched by an alliance of populist authoritarians and supporters of the fraternity.”

He said: “Media owners must face pressure because they are in positions of influence and collude with governments to undermine press freedom.”

Israeli journalists fear Drahi’s takeover will lead to mass job losses similar to those experienced by their colleagues at the Washington Post.

A consortium of liberal Israeli tech entrepreneurs had made a rival bid for 74% of Channel 13. A source close to the group said it was prepared to invest much more than Drahi – £80 million to £120 million (£59 million to £88 million) – in modernizing the canal over three years, and had put the offer on paper although negotiations had not been completed.

A spokesman for Blavatnik’s parent company, Access Industries, denied there was any political pressure to sell to Drahi. “Any suggestion that the preferred proposal was chosen for political reasons is completely false,” the spokesman said. “After discussions with two separate groups, Patrick Drahi’s offer was chosen because it represented a better deal. [Channel] 13.”

The spokesman added: “His proposal provides for immediate funding into the channel to support [Channel] 13’s stability allows it to expand its reach and invest in high-quality content, innovation and digital transformation so it can continue to deliver value to its audience. “The higher of the two bids was confirmed, and ultimately the stronger, faster option prevailed.”

The company denied Israeli reports that the Netanyahu government had signaled to Blavatnik that the acquisition of the channel by the liberal technology consortium would not receive official approval. “Neither Sir Leonard Blavatnik nor anyone on behalf of Access has spoken to any government officials on the matter. [Channel] 13,” the spokesman said.

Netanyahu and his ministers have launched a concerted campaign to reshape Israel’s media landscape ahead of this year’s elections. One of the corruption charges for which the Prime Minister is currently on trial involves an allegation that he was offered preferential financial treatment in exchange for positive coverage.

Last month a government minister sued an investigative journalist at the only other major independent news channel, Channel 12, for a record 12 million shekels (£2.86 million) in damages.

The government imposed financial sanctions on the independent newspaper Haaretz, accusing it of “supporting the enemy” due to its criticism of the Gaza war.

The tech consortium is expected to continue arguing its case for buying Channel 13, and the Journalists Union has said it expects Israel’s antitrust authorities or its supreme court to block the Drahi bid. Meanwhile, reporters hope Blavatnik will change his mind.

“If Channel 13 falls, that will be the end of the free press in Israel, because the rest will also fall after that. This is the tipping point,” Saragusti said. “I don’t think Blavatnik really understands that this is not just an economic issue but also a turning point in Israeli democracy.”