Channel 14 Yes, Others No - Press Council Furious at IDF

The Press Council has sent an official letter to the IDF Spokesperson protesting the blocking of journalists from entering Kussra, while a Channel 14 reporter was allowed in. The council demands equal procedures and warns of harm to press freedom. It acknowledges the military's authority to declare closed areas for security reasons but stresses that restrictions must be applied equally to all media outlets. The council calls on the IDF to ensure equal freedom of movement, review existing procedures, and prevent discrimination, urging to 'uproot improper norms of abuse of power and discrimination against media outlets.'

The Press Council has sent an official letter to the IDF Spokesperson following claims of selective enforcement regarding journalists' entry into the village of Kussra. According to the council, journalists were blocked from entering the area, while a Channel 14 reporter was allowed in. The council acknowledges the military's authority to declare a closed area for security reasons but emphasizes that restrictions must be applied equally to all media outlets. It argues that distinguishing between journalists could harm press freedom and the public's right to know. The council demands that the IDF ensure equal freedom of movement, review existing procedures, and prevent discrimination. It calls to 'uproot improper norms of abuse of power and discrimination against media outlets' and to renew equal procedures. The appeal comes against the backdrop of documentation of settlers besieging Kussra, published in a report. The council did not cite the IDF's or Channel 14's response.