Israel Passes Controversial Media Reform Bill Ahead of Election

Israel’s Knesset approved a sweeping media reform bill that would significantly increase government control over news and broadcast sectors, remove traditional oversight safeguards, eliminate minimum journalism standards and lift long‑standing limits on cross‑ownership.

Critics, including media‑freedom organisations and opposition lawmakers, warn the changes could distort the media landscape and undermine press freedom and election integrity ahead of the October 27 parliamentary election. Following the July 17 vote, watchdog groups petitioned the High Court of Justice, which has temporarily frozen parts of the legislation while it reviews the case. The court is expected to decide whether the freeze will be maintained or widened before the election. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the reforms, despite Netanyahu being bound by a conflict‑of‑interest agreement that bars him from influencing decisions that could affect his ongoing corruption trial.