Behind the Scenes of the News: Who Really Decides What You See on Screen? | Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Brik
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Brik analyzes the decision-making mechanisms behind the production of television news broadcasts. He describes a system where ratings, commercial interests, and systemic pressures override the public mission, leading to a partial and distorted presentation of reality, especially on critical security issues.
Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yitzhak Brik analyzes in an opinion piece the decision-making mechanisms behind the production of television news broadcasts in Israeli television. He describes a system where ratings are the main consideration, and often programs deliberately avoid touching on complex or unsettling topics that might drive away viewers. Brik argues that television hosts, perceived as ultimate authorities, have limited influence over content; they receive a pre-prepared script and function as human 'bots' implementing an editorial line, sometimes against their personal opinion. The result, he says, is systematic cutting of corners, incomplete and sometimes biased information, especially in the security field. Brik notes that most media outlets choose to publish topics that align with their ideology and invite interviewees who do not threaten their agenda. In contrast, he praises the newspaper Ma'ariv for its open approach, which publishes articles from all opinions. The article concludes with a call to recognize this reality as a first step towards national security, emphasizing the public's need for exposure to the truth in the media.