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Part Three - The Social Program
Communications
Freedom of expression is one of the key values in any free country. The state must not prevent the voicing of opinions just because they are not to its liking, except in very exceptional cases prescribed by law such as libel and transmission of classified security information. To truly protect freedom of expression, the state should not interfere even in the manner in which the opinion is voiced. In other words, it should allow anyone to express anything that is permitted to be legally expressed by any means. Communication free of arbitrary restrictions and state interference is a necessary condition for freedom of expression.
Israeli media is not free media. A license is required to broadcast radio, meaning that it requires approval from the Second Television and Radio Authority. The Second Authority is ready to grant concessions only to those who meet a long line of ethical and cultural dictates on the content they will broadcast. Its role according to the law, beyond the awarding of concessions and supervision of franchises, is mainly to promote cultural and social values in the commercial media, namely private broadcasting bodies, in accordance with the requirements of the government. For example, the Second Authority is committed to "giving expression to the culture of nations, to human creativity and to the values of civilization throughout the ages" and to "foster good citizenship and strengthening democratic and humanist values." We believe that there is no place for a body like this in a free country. The authorities should not impose their views on the public through the media, especially when this is accomplished by limiting freedom of expression while using the resources of private organs.
Zehut will act to free private communication organs from the severe limitations placed upon them; it will free communication and will protect the freedom of expression.
Open and Free Broadcasting for All
Technological means will be used to increase the number of transmission frequencies. The number of broadcast frequencies in the country is limited, and it is not currently possible to assign a frequency to everyone who wants to broadcast. However, there are technological devices that allow an increase in the number of broadcast frequencies, such as digital radio. Zehut will promote the use of such measures to increase the number of frequencies and allow more Israelis to exercise their freedom of expression over the airwaves.
Broadcasts will be by license, and not by concession. The concessions method will be eliminated. The right to use broadcast frequencies shall be leased for a period of four years to the highest bidder through auction, regardless of the content he wishes to broadcast. The only condition for holding the license, besides meeting the financial obligation, will be the requirement not to disseminate content prohibited by law. There will be no other restriction on broadcast content, and in particular, there will be no limit on the time devoted to advertising.
Most of the functions of the Second Authority will be eliminated. The Second Authority will deal exclusively with the distribution of broadcast frequencies and licenses to entrepreneurs who win the tender, with collection of the money from the winning entrepreneurs, and with supervision of broadcasts. The purpose of supervision will be only to ensure that licensees are not breaking the law and to punish those who violate it.
Free Press
Protection of freedom of expression means not only a ban on state interference in the content of the newspapers, but also a prohibition on interference in their business model. The attempt to pass a bill that had no purpose other than to attack the publication of a specific new newspaper illustrates the importance of this prohibition.[32] Zehut will oppose any bill that imposes restrictions on the press or harms the free press in any way.
Closure of Media Outlets Belonging to the State
We believe that a free country cannot use the media to shape the culture and values of the residents. The state should be a tool for expressing the identity of the citizens, while preserving the rights of the individual. It should not dictate culture and values. The state must not be allowed to own media outlets. Zehut will act to close or privatize all state-owned media organizations – The Broadcasting Corporation, Army Radio, Israel Army Radio, the Voice of Israel, and military journals.
[32] "A bill for the promotion and protection of the Israeli press," or the more familiar "Israel Today Law" was intended to harm the newspaper "Israel Today" by banning the distribution of free newspapers, which was the unique business model of this paper out of all the popular newspapers.
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