Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s bill that would dramatically overhaul Israel’s media landscape passed its first reading in the Knesset early Tuesday, with 54 lawmakers voting in favor and 47 against.
The legislation would give the government significant control over broadcast media, news sites and other media, by establishing a new regulatory council, with a majority of members chosen by the communications minister, that would have an array of authorities over broadcast media, including the ability to issue hefty fines.
The attorney general, opposing the legislation, has advised that it presents “real concern of severe harm to freedom of expression and freedom of the press.”