The Israeli government has decided to close Army Radio, one of the country’s oldest media outlets, after more than 75 years of broadcasting. The closure, which will take effect on March 1, 2024, has raised significant concerns regarding press freedom in Israel. The proposal, introduced by Defense Minister Israel Katz, received unanimous approval from the government, despite warnings from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara about its legal implications.
In an official memorandum, Baharav-Miara stated that the decision lacked a solid factual and professional foundation. She expressed concern that it represents a broader trend aimed at undermining public broadcasting and limiting freedom of expression in Israel. “The decision forms part of a broader move to undermine public broadcasting in Israel and to restrict freedom of expression,” she remarked.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the closure, arguing that a military-controlled radio station is inconsistent with democratic values. “A military station broadcasting under the army’s authority exists in North Korea and perhaps a few other countries, and we certainly don’t want to be counted among them,” he said.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from various civil society groups, including the Israel Press Council and the Israeli journalists’ union, who plan to challenge it in the Supreme Court. Katz announced his intention to close Army Radio last month, part of a larger governmental initiative to exert tighter control over the media landscape. This includes proposed reforms that would significantly increase the government’s authority to impose fines and sanctions on news outlets.
Army Radio, also known as Galei Tzahal, is a unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) overseen by the Chief of Staff. The station features a robust news department that employs both soldiers and civilian journalists. It is known for hosting some of the nation’s most popular political talk shows, where journalists often provide critical commentary on government actions and military affairs.
Katz’s initiative to shut down Army Radio is not unprecedented; previous defense ministers have expressed discontent with the station’s editorial stance. However, Katz is the first to take definitive action, forming what critics describe as a hand-picked committee of individuals politically aligned with the government. This committee recommended either closing the station or restructuring it to minimize news and political content.
Katz argued that maintaining a radio station operated by the military is an anomaly in democratic nations. He stated, “This anomaly causes substantial difficulty for the IDF stemming from the involuntary involvement of the IDF in political discourse. The station’s engagement in political content harms the Israel Defense Forces, its soldiers, and its unity.”
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid condemned the closure, framing it as part of a broader campaign by the government to suppress freedom of speech, particularly during an election year. He asserted, “They fail to control reality, so they try to control consciousness. Wherever there’s a truth inconvenient to the government, they act to eliminate it.” Lapid criticized the government’s inability to address pressing issues such as the rising cost of living and security concerns, suggesting that closing media outlets is a misguided attempt to divert attention from these challenges.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of this closure remain to be seen, particularly concerning the future of media freedom in Israel and the potential legal battles ahead.
