As Eurovision fever heats up, Israel's public broadcaster has found itself in the crosshairs of proposed legislation that could see it not only stripped of funding but kicked out of the beloved international song contest altogether. In a strongly worded smackdown, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has warned that plans to privatize or defund the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) would be a virtually unheard-of move in European media history – and one that wouldn't go unnoticed by the influential body.
On Monday morning, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which represents public media organizations across Europe and North Africa, fired a warning shot at the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee over proposed laws that would either privatize the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC), known as Kann or slash its budget. The contentious proposals are set to come before the committee for a second and third reading, with IPBC employees planning to turn out in force for the debate.
"We wish to express our deep concern regarding the legislative proposals to privatize or cut the budget of Israel's public broadcasting," the EBU wrote in a letter to the committee. "Such a move would not only jeopardize Israel's media landscape but could also have significant implications for the foundations of the state's democracy and its international reputation."
The EBU bigwigs didn't mince words in stressing the vital role played by Kann 11, the IPBC's television arm, in promoting a healthy society and ensuring citizens have access to accurate, timely, and impartial news and information. Across Europe, the body noted, public broadcasters are seen as the bedrock of democracy, giving a platform to diverse voices, cultural expression, and national unity.
"The closure of the IPBC, its takeover, or cuts to its budget, would indicate a departure from the standards held by democratic states around the world and would endanger not only local trust but also international trust," the letter continued before dropping a bombshell: "If the IPBC ceases to exist in its public format, it will not be a member of the EBU and as a result – will not participate in Eurovision."
It's a threat that carries serious weight, given that the IPBC has been an EBU member since 1957 – a status that has enabled it to take part in major international events like Eurovision and the FIFA World Cup. Across Europe, public broadcasters are bankrolled to the tune of 76% by Joe and Jane Taxpayer.
"The privatization of the IPBC would render this relationship unstable and would almost certainly lead to its removal from our union, diminishing the state's role in major events and limiting Israeli citizens' access to such content," the EBU warned, noting that membership in the body means membership in its news agency. Kan's coverage of events like the terrible October 7 attack was the most shared news clip across Europe at that time."
The EBU called on Israeli lawmakers to "carefully consider the broader implications of privatizing the IPBC or reducing its funding and ability to operate in a sustained and independent manner," emphasizing that public media outlets are more than just sources of information – they're the pillars of democracy, culture, and social cohesion.
"Dismantling or privatizing a public broadcasting institution is a major step – almost unprecedented in European media history. It will not go unnoticed by us," the letter concluded. "The potential loss of Kan would weaken the diversity of news, free sports broadcasting, local programming including quality children's programming, and much more that is available to Israeli citizens, and there will be inevitable implications for international perceptions of Israel. We are ready to provide any essential support to preserve the future of public broadcasting in Israel."
Retired Justice Hanan Melcer, president of the Israeli Press Council, didn't sugarcoat the situation when he addressed the Knesset committee on Monday morning. "They want to create a situation where in Israel there is only journalism that praises or glorifies the government," he warned.
As the battle over the future of public broadcasting in Israel comes to a head, all eyes will be on the Knesset to see whether the nation's lawmakers will heed the EBU's dire warnings – or risk turning the start of the Eurovision Song Contest into a funeral march for the IPBC. With so much at stake for Israel's media landscape, democracy, and international standing, the chorus of voices urging caution is growing louder by the day. But will they be enough to drown out the drumbeat of privatization? Only time will tell.
