‘Chilling Effect’: Proposed Israeli Media Laws Spark Press Freedom Alarm

A package of media measures proposed by Israel's ruling coalition has drawn sharp criticism from journalists, legal experts and civil society groups, who warn the changes would concentrate political control over the press and undermine editorial independence.

Overview

The proposals include sweeping changes to public broadcasting, a bid to give the government permanent powers to ban foreign television channels deemed a threat, and plans to close the widely listened-to public army radio station, Galei Tsahal. The measures come as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to seek another term.

“Chilling Effect”

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara — who is herself the subject of impeachment proceedings — warned the public broadcasting bill "endangers the very principle of press freedom." The draft law would create a new supervisory authority for public media; the government says this would boost competition and cut bureaucracy, but critics say concentrating appointment powers in a politically controlled body risks a "chilling effect" on independent journalism.

The Union of Journalists in Israel has appealed the bill to the Supreme Court. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the text as "a nail in the coffin of editorial independence," and said media freedom in Israel has declined since the Gaza war began after the October 7, 2023 attack.

Expanded Powers To Restrict Foreign Media

Parliament is also considering making permanent a 2024 emergency law that allows the government to ban foreign TV channels it deems a threat to national security. The temporary law, passed during the war in Gaza, was used in May 2024 to ban Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera amid claims of ties to Hamas — allegations the network denies. The proposed amendment would permit bans without a court order and could be applied even when the state is not at war.

Ariel Kelner, the Likud lawmaker who authored the amendment, defended it by saying the media can "seed terrorism in minds" if they publish sensitive material or hateful content. But the International Federation of Journalists warned the change "would be a serious blow to free speech and media freedom" if enacted.

Galei Tsahal And Restrictions On Foreign Reporters

Defence Minister Israel Katz has proposed shutting Galei Tsahal, the military-run radio station founded in 1950 and ranked among Israel's most-listened-to stations. Katz said the station would cease broadcasting by March 2026 after a cabinet presentation. The Israel Democracy Institute said the move "runs counter to the fundamental principles of the rule of law and undermines press freedom."

At the same time, foreign journalists have continued to face restrictions on independent access to the Gaza Strip, where more than two years of conflict have devastated the territory. The Foreign Press Association has petitioned the Supreme Court for independent entry and described the situation as "beyond absurd." An AFP journalist sits on the FPA's board of directors.

International Concerns And Rankings

RSF moved Israel down 11 places in its 2025 global press freedom index, from 101st to 112th out of 180 countries, reflecting international concern about recent developments. Legal advisers within the government have also publicly criticized elements of the draft texts, and opposition leaders have labeled the measures an assault on media independence.

"This is not a reform. It is a campaign to incite hatred and silence the free press," opposition leader Yair Lapid said, calling the bills a "hostile takeover of the media."

The bills have passed initial Knesset readings and now face committee scrutiny before final votes. If enacted, they would significantly reshape Israel's media landscape and raise new questions about the balance between national security powers and press freedom.