Ahead of meetings scheduled to be held by the Knesset Economics Committee, Kohelet Forum recently submitted a document titled “Public Broadcasting: An Idea Whose Time Has Passed.“ In response, Zulat presented its own document categorically rejecting Kohelet’s arguments, which it regards as totally unfounded.

First of all, it should be noted that most of Kohelet’s arguments deal with economic and structural aspects of the broadcast media market in Israel, and are based on the premise that the consumption of a free and public press is “just another service” consumed by the public, akin to buying shoes or refrigerators. As Kohelet Forum sees it, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) was founded on the basis of “economic assumptions” that are “no longer valid.” Moreover, in its view, only “the IPBC‘s managers and employees, as well as media professionals who see themselves dependent on it” have an “interest” in preserving public broadcasting in Israel, whereas no such interest exists at all on the part of the public at large.

However, Zulat’s response categorically emphasizes that Kohelet Forum’s position that commercial broadcasting can replace public broadcasting is totally unacceptable. On the contrary, public broadcasting is not a service akin to “selling shoes or washing machines,” as Kohelet claims.

The primary role of public broadcasting is to provide programming that balances commercial media, which by its very nature may be affected by business and even political considerations, as well as to produce and air content that would otherwise not be screened on commercial networks. Therefore, the private market cannot provide a service akin to the one provided by public broadcasting, nor is it interested in doing so. Moreover, a recent survey indicates that the IPBC is perceived by the public as the most reliable among Israeli media outlets.

Zulat believes that the arguments presented by Kohelet are totally unacceptable and that public broadcasting is today more necessary and relevant than ever. A professional and independent public broadcasting service is essential for the functioning of a democratic society and for safeguarding fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This is especially true in a media landscape where most players, including news outlets, are private entities with commercial interests. Nevertheless, Kohelet’s document fails to mention or discuss the significance of public broadcasting in the democratic process. Notably, it contains no reference to such terms as “democracy,” “freedom of expression,” “freedom of the press,” or “fundamental right.”

In conclusion, Zulat‘s position is that the claims presented in Kohelet’s document are completely baseless. The role of public broadcasting is today more necessary and relevant than ever, and we must not lend a hand to the recurring attempts to harm it.