Attorney General Demands Freeze of Broadcasting Law: "Fundamentally Flawed"

The Attorney General is demanding that the High Court of Justice freeze the entire Broadcasting Law until a decision is made on petitions against it. Her response alleges an "exceptional and extreme accumulation of flaws" that harmed the ability of Knesset members to understand and influence the law, and unusual involvement of Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The state asserts that the chances of the petitions succeeding are very high and warns of harm to freedom of speech and the press during an election period.

The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, is demanding that the High Court of Justice freeze the entire Broadcasting Law until a decision is made on petitions filed against it. In an official response submitted to the Supreme Court, the state argues that the law suffers from an "exceptional and extreme accumulation of flaws" that harmed the ability of Knesset members to understand the content of the law and influence the legislative process. It further alleges unusual involvement by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in the legislative process. The state states that the chances of the petitions being accepted are "very high" and warns of possible harm to freedom of speech and the press, especially during an election period. The decision was made against the backdrop of serious concerns raised by media and freedom of information organizations.