Even those who supported the aggressive measures at the time, including the signatory above, wrote that behind his ouster lies a political agenda and a lack of good governance
The number of eulogies written about Galtz is not much smaller than that received by Netanyahu himself. In fact, if the defense ministers, politicians and journalists who declared that the station should be shut down altogether were brought together, it is likely that their numbers would be greater than the number of listeners to this ever-bleeding station. However, this debate has long been irrelevant, since it is based on an erroneous premise. The fact is that Geltz is long dead.
Thus, the debate about who started and what should be done now is unnecessary. Even an old man, a not incompetent journalist who took on the role of acting commander of Galatz, knows that this is an appointment born in sin. An old man, a veteran reporter who has seen a thing or two, knows that the station he runs these days is no longer a media outlet suffering from problems, but a rag doll that politicians from all corners of the spectrum have made and are doing their own thing.
Exactly 15 months ago, Defense Minister Benny Gantz decided, after a delay of six months, to establish a search committee for the next IDF Radio commander. But by then, a series of moves – including the ouster of Bardugo – had already been taken. Even those who supported the aggressive measures at the time, including the signatory above, wrote that behind his ouster lies a political agenda and a lack of good governance; Bardugo's ouster (added to Amir Ivgi's removal from news management and the removal of right-wing presenter Yishai Shnerb) – whether described as "cleaning the stables", returning the station to journalistic stripes or political purge – was seen as a tax paid by former interim deputy commander Galit Altstein.
Started. Gantz (Photo: Niv Aharonson, Reuters)
The worst of all
On two issues – a bizarre and anti-journalistic request to act too critically against the "phenomenon of refusal"; And a decision to stop cooperating with the "propaganda channels" Keshet and Reshet, which was made under political pressure – he has already brought receipts
Defense Minister Galant, who inherited the problematic "interim administration" precedent, had several options: adopt the decisions of the professional committee established by Gantz that recommended the appointment of Or Tzelkovnik to the position; push for immediate legislation leading to the privatization of the station; Or choose the worst of both: ignore the recommendations and repeat Gantz's mistake and postpone again the decision regarding the fate of the station. At the same time, Galant has a significant assumption: it is doubtful how much his power in making the decision was equal to that of Zaken's co-presenter – who is close to the prime minister and the one who says he received an offer to serve as communications minister – Yaakov Bardugo.
As for the old man, one could guess and predict on the basis of his work on Israel Radio (affiliated with Balfour) and Globes (affiliated with the Kohelet Forum and flattering views of the right) that for politicians this is at best a white sheet. One that will enable the government to establish facts on the ground, under the mantle of orderly and substantive decision-making. on two issues – a bizarre and anti-journalistic request to act too critically against the "phenomenon of insubordination"; And a decision to stop cooperation with the "propaganda channels" Keshet and Reshet, which was made under political pressure - he has already brought receipts.
In a loop? Galant (Photo: Reuven Castro)
Netanyahu's chess
The definition of a journalist in uniform had to be redrawn decades ago, and it is gratifying that this anomaly will dissipate because in the current market conditions it has no right to exist
But these are all history. Today, there is no one to fight for a clean wheel, not in national politics and, more importantly, not even within the station itself. The same journalists who sat quietly when Bardugo objected to putting the station's reporter on the air and when he shamed another journalist live; When he attacked a rabbi who showed patience for Bennett's moves and dealt with an affair that does not exist; Who were silent when Irit Linor and Kobi Arieli unleashed their tongues on leftists and Arabs - all those who know how to preach morality to the whole world in their programs, fall silent when it comes to their homes (by the way, they are not much different from their friends on Channel 13 News).
When public frequency and job stability become the main values, it is easier to understand certain statements by the Minister of Communications about the lack of need to fund them.
And something else, much has already been said about the anomaly of a military broadcasting station under whose mandate it is doubtful whether it can criticize the budgetary pensions or the top echelons of the IDF, but is now being asked to criticize the refusal. Decades ago, the definition of a journalist in uniform had to be redrawn, and it is gratifying that this anomaly will dissipate because in the current market conditions it has no right to exist.
One line connects the statements of the Minister of Communications here in Walla! Berenger a week ago about the corporation - to what is happening in Galatz. In both, Netanyahu succeeded in marking another check by raising journalists' loyalty to the government as an issue relevant to the existence of public broadcasting, sometimes as an existential condition. Thanks to a clear statement and the erection of a wall of opposition by the corporation's board and management, for now he has been saved. There is a moment when you have to look in the mirror and say honestly: Galtz can no longer be saved.
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