Israeli journalists are concerned about the potential loss of press freedom if a UK billionaire sells his stake in an Israeli TV channel. The sale of Channel 13, a commercial channel known for its critical news coverage of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, has sparked fears among journalists. Sir Leonard Blavatnik, the UK's third-richest person, is selling a nearly 15% share to Patrick Drahi, a telecoms tycoon with French, Portuguese, and Israeli citizenships. The sale has raised concerns as Drahi's company, Altice, is already known for its less critical coverage of Netanyahu. The Union of Journalists in Israel warns that this sale could further erode press freedom, especially as Drahi's business is heavily in debt and embroiled in legal battles. The sale is seen as part of a larger plan by the Netanyahu government to capture the media before the upcoming elections. Critics argue that Drahi, as the sole investor, will have real control over the channel's policies, despite the legal limit of 15% ownership. This fear is echoed by Anat Saragusti, who warns of a potential loss of freedom of speech and diversity of opinions. The situation is compared to the Washington Post's fate under Jeff Bezos, who steered it closer to Donald Trump and laid off a significant portion of its workforce. Israeli journalists worry that a Drahi takeover could lead to similar mass job losses. A liberal tech consortium had made a rival bid for a larger stake, but negotiations were not finalized. Blavatnik's spokesperson denied any political pressure in the sale, emphasizing the financial benefits for Channel 13. The Netanyahu government's actions, including lawsuits against journalists and financial sanctions on independent newspapers, have raised concerns about media freedom in Israel.
