Unanimously: High Court cancels government decision to appoint Dr. Yifat Ben-Hai-Segev as chair of the Second Authority

The High Court of Justice unanimously canceled the appointment of Dr. Yifat Ben-Hai-Segev as chair of the Second Authority for Television and Radio council, as well as the appointments of attorney Kineret Barashi and Dr. Haim Shain as council members. The justices found substantial flaws in the process, including a severe conflict of interest due to Ben-Hai-Segev's previous tenure as a director at News 13, a body supervised by the authority.

The High Court of Justice today (Tuesday) unanimously canceled the government's decisions to appoint Dr. Yifat Ben-Hai-Segev as chair of the Second Authority for Television and Radio council, as well as the appointments of attorney Kineret Barashi and Dr. Haim Shain as council members. The justices found substantial flaws in the appointment process, foremost a severe conflict of interest: Ben-Hai-Segev served until shortly before the appointment as a director at News 13, one of the bodies the authority is supposed to supervise. Additionally, it was noted that she served as a witness in the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Case 4000) and changed her testimony in his favor, raising concerns of political affiliation and harm to the independence of the regulatory body. The decision leaves the Second Authority without a legally constituted council, raising questions about its continued proper functioning until a new council is appointed.