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Israel

Concern over Bibi media laws

May 21, 2015 13:06

By

Anshel Pfeffer,

Anshel Pfeffer

1 min read

Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to retain the communications portfolio for himself in his new government is causing concern in the Israeli media.

The prime minister also prompted anxiety when it emerged that the coalition agreements contained a clause regarding media legislation.

One of the issues that ruined trust between Mr Netanyahu and his previous coalition partners was their vote in favour of the "Yisrael Hayom law". The law would have forced Yisrael Hayom, a paper owned by US casino mogul and Netanyahu supporter Sheldon Adelson, to charge a cover price.

By contrast, all parties in the current coalition have committed themselves to only supporting media legislation that is approved by the government.