According to sources familiar with the matter, associates of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana have reportedly conveyed messages to Channel 12 senior figures that the media reform bill will be stalled through bureaucratic tools. Supporters of the reform cite Ohana's refusal to activate the 'exception procedure' as evidence. Ohana's office denied the allegations, calling them 'a serious lie amounting to libel' and stating that neither Ohana nor his associates have ever contacted Channel 12's Avi Nir.
A new political controversy is unfolding around the stalled media reform bill, with anonymous sources alleging that allies of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud) are deliberately using bureaucratic procedures to prevent its advancement. The sources claim that messages were relayed to Channel 12 executives indicating that the bill would be blocked through administrative means, specifically citing Ohana's refusal to invoke the 'exception procedure' that would allow the law to bypass committee delays.
Reform supporters have pointed to this as evidence of internal sabotage, accusing Ohana of protecting Channel 12's market position. Ohana's office issued a forceful denial, calling the report 'a serious lie amounting to libel' and emphasizing that neither Ohana nor his staff have ever communicated with Channel 12 CEO Avi Nir. The statement added that Ohana is considering legal steps over the publication.
The report comes amid an ongoing battle over media regulation, with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accusing opposition lawmakers of pressuring law enforcement to derail the reform earlier today — a claim which Karhi's office has not yet addressed in the context of this new allegation. As The Zioneer reported earlier, Karhi argued in committee that opponents were using 'prosecutorial whistle-blowing' tactics. The Knesset Speaker's office has not commented further on the specific claims.
- DevelopingMinister Karhi accuses opposition of trying to sabotage media reform by leaning on law enforcement
- DevelopingCoalition MKs absent from media bill committee talks, stalling reform
- DevelopingOpposition MKs demand Sunday vote be blocked over procedural failures
- DevelopingKara opens debate on media law, opposition objects
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