I don't usually use this stage to get angry in public, but this morning it happened to me, and it has nothing to do with the justice system or a malfunctioning radiator.
I woke up calmly to a sunny morning, made coffee for the first lady and me, flipped through the morning newspaper and turned on the radio to hear what was going on with Aryeh Golan on Channel 2.
Arya has accompanied me on and off for forty or so years, like a big brother I don't really know personally.
A professional, caring radio personality, who I have no idea who he is voting for in the elections.
I put on headphones and went for a short morning walk.
At Shmona, Kalman Libeskind and Assaf Lieberman did what they do best, fearlessly interviewed politicians, read listener reactions and traffic reports, stung where necessary, didn't let go of the interviewees until they got an answer and also talked some graceful nonsense.
But slowly the thought that someone is trying to sabotage my quality of life and the things that make me feel good seeped into me.
Kalman and Lieberman must have also heard and know that someone is trying to take their jobs, but I guess they forbade themselves to express themselves on the subject.
I put the annoying thought to rest, so as not to get upset, and went about my daily business.
At three o'clock, on my way from meeting to meeting in Tel Aviv's traffic jams (the traffic jams are not an urgent matter that needs to be addressed), I flipped a little between the different radio stations and stopped at Gadi Livna's "Magic Moments".
Gadi, one of my childhood radio idols, played two songs by the singer Harry Nilsson, and the soothing sounds of "I can't live" made my body feel good.
He then aired Bret Bacherch's "raindrops keep falling on my head", with the line "I'll never be able to stop the rain with my complaints".
I told myself that this might be true about the rain, but specifically in matters of civil rights, the dripping on your head is not necessarily rain, and in order for the dripping to stop it is actually important and you have to complain.
Conspire to close them too, photo: Yehoshua Yosef
So it is, that in the last few weeks I read that the new Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karai, signals to us that there is no place for public broadcasting in Israel, and promises to cut the budget of the Broadcasting Corporation, which, according to the CEO of the corporation, will cause it to be closed. Besides, he is also plotting to shut down the IDF channels.
Another fateful issue that probably disturbs the minister's peace of mind is the program "Ofira and Barko", which is broadcast at all on request and probably poses an existential danger to the future of the nation, since the minister promised that "when my plan is completed, an intellectual disgrace like Opira and Barko's plan will not be able to pass quietly, it will hurt In your pocket."
True, Essig and Berkovic have loud shouts, and they both started out as sportsmen, but they are the most interesting and authentic thing on the screen, and they are so brave and truth-tellers - that I don't understand why it is urgent to get rid of them.
Or on second thought, it's actually very clear.
I actually like changes and facelifts, but I also recognize revenge and threats when they are placed in front of me, and it seems to me that Minister Karai mainly wants to scare the journalists at the corporation and discourage them from doing their jobs faithfully.
Because as the poet said, what is the corporation worth if we don't control it?
I don't know the minister, and to learn about him I went to his Wikipedia page.
The man is actually not a sucker, and even though he is younger than me by more than two decades, he has had much more in his life than me.
Studied in yeshivas, served in the IDF, studied at university, and he even has a doctorate, which he is modest about. He was also the chairman of the lobby for the Negev, which is impressive, and also fought with the banks for mortgage payments.
So why does a person with such an impressive resume decide to destroy a broadcasting corporation that has become a symbol of real Israeli quality and creation, supports thousands of creators, producers, actors, lighting technicians, sound technicians and studios that, as far as I know, are not millionaires, produce quality content and make our lives pleasant?
Until one time we succeed in something public that, as far as I know, is not painful, and does not include hidden unemployment and jobs, why is it urgent to spoil it?
What is so bad about the Gimel network, which broadcasts Israeli music around the clock for the enjoyment of Israeli citizens?
What bothers Mr. Karai that songs by Israeli singers and creators are broadcast on the radio and royalties are generated for them?
Maybe he doesn't like the new and wonderful performances of Mooney, Gidi Duble, Baraba and Kushnir from "Zah Zah" to Hebrew songs?
If it depends on meat, we will probably have to say goodbye to this candy.
I don't know about you, but I enjoy watching Kobi Midan's cultural program;
in "Let's eat with me", which brings the cutest magnons in Israel around the table for crazy cooking sessions;
You are Guy Zahar, who shines every day with the revelation of the truth behind unsubstantiated statements by media persons and politicians and gives a platform to diverse opinions;
I love Dori Ben Zeev the genius on 88FM and the station in general;
And I'm jealous of the guys from "Shir Ahad", the coolest podcast on the radio, which traces the story of all kinds of Israeli songs, and I'm bummed that I didn't think of it.
I don't sweat other channels either, and I've gone through most of them.
I watch "Aretz Fehadal" and Guy Lerer, Guy Pines and "Ofira and Barko", and even watch cooking shows, but what have they done to you, Mr. Karai, talented journalists in the excellent news edition and devoid of the interests of the corporation, people like Moab Verdi and the foreign news His excellence, Shaul Amsterdamsky who explains in a way that even a fool like me manages to understand what is happening with our money, Carmela Menashe, Karen Neubach, Liel Keizer, Dr. Gili Tamir and Michael Shemesh?
Why did you take from me the great programs of Ronnie Cuban and Hanoch Daum?
We are robust enough to deal with the sharp creativity of "the Jews are coming", and it is important that all kinds of bureaucratic bodies deal with the menacing visits of "citizen Guetta".
Where else will they produce shows like "Siliha al-Kaleat" and Shlomi Shaban's music show, not to mention monsters like "Tehran" and "Locking Hour"?
(hint: nowhere).
Who else will bring us quality programs like "Lockdown Time"?
Nobody, photo: Vared Adir
Why do you want to take all this goodness from me, and for what?
The corporation will create a free digital platform that allows me and every citizen to see on TV, computer or mobile, any content whenever I want, for free, without advertisements and without brain confusion.
What hurts you, Mr. Krai?
You're supposed to serve the public, and it's hard for me to think of something that serves it more than public broadcasting.
I thought that public broadcasting in a democratic society should actually allow the viewer and the listener to receive high-quality content with social and cultural value, which does not depend on commercial companies, advertisements, money holders and stakeholders.
Dear Minister, I have an idea.
If it's a matter of money and you're missing NIS 700 million in your cash register, why don't we refund the fee?
Each citizen will pay a 70 shekel fee per year, we have ten million citizens here - and here, you have the entire budget.
That's how we'll go back to the good old days when if you didn't pay, they would confiscate your TV, and to the "unpleasant, not terrible" commercials.
It is null and void against the great content of the corporation.
yairn@israelhayom.co.il
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