Defense Minister Israel Katz's decision to shut down the military radio station, Army Radio, sparked widespread outrage, with many accusing the Netanyahu government of a witch hunt against certain journalists and an attack on press freedom. While Israel is indeed the only democratic country with a military radio station, it is also one of the few nations in the world that has been waging a perpetual war against its enemies since its rebirth.
Faced with this unique phenomenon, civil society remains harmonious because its origins are universal and drawn from over seventy countries worldwide. Consequently, democracy is thriving despite profound political divisions and the state of war. Massive protests and the complete freedom of movement and expression demonstrate that the democratic system has remained strong and stable to this day.
In this liberal, even absurd, context, the military radio station, Army Radio, is generally run by a journalist appointed by the Minister of Defense. This station broadcasts, oddly enough, advertisements and commercials. In Israel, one can see a young journalist in an IDF uniform asking questions or giving his own opinion on the conduct of a minister, an election campaign, or criticizing a senior officer on an operation he was in charge of.
Winston Churchill said that "democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried before." We can add that Israel is a unique example of this kind, where democracy sometimes operates without limits, especially in the context of the war in which we live.
I took my first steps in journalism at Army Radio. At that time, there was a clear separation between news and commentary. The vast majority of experts in various fields were seasoned journalists from print and broadcast media. They were aware of the constraints and broadcast within a strictly military framework.
Initially, in the 1950s, Army Radio aimed to serve as a liaison with conscripts and reservists, broadcasting educational programs, popular and classical songs, charts, and also teaching Hebrew to new immigrants. During armed conflicts, Army Radio broadcasted in tandem with Kol Israel (Voice of Israel). Together, they announced the mobilization of IDF reserve units.
Today, with the proliferation of radio stations, television channels, and social networks, a military station in a democratic country has no reason to exist if uniformed journalists are covering topics that concern controversial political matters.
It is regrettable that all attempts to prevent the politicization of the station, and even to shut it down, particularly by the General Staff itself, were doomed to failure. Numerous print journalists, but especially those working for radio stations and television stars, cut their teeth at Army Radio. They form a powerful lobby that politicians, and especially generals, are unwilling to confront. This explains why they were so untouchable. For several decades, Army Radio was indeed reserved for a closed and privileged circle of journalists whose opinions were rather left-leaning on the political spectrum; it is only in recent years that the military station has opened its studios to all opinions and all strata of Israeli society, secular and religious, Ashkenazi and Sephardic.
However, the appointment of certain activists and militants close to Prime Minister Netanyahu, such as Yaacov Berdugo, quickly transformed Army Radio into a platform for propaganda, virulent political debates, and unnecessary quarrels, thus flouting the vocation of the military station and exacerbating politicization within the Zahal.
Army Radio is staffed and managed primarily by conscripts committed to mandatory military service and the rules applied at an IDF base. Ethical and professional standards govern the conduct of military and civilian correspondents. Their information is generally considered credible and is often cited and used by international news agencies. Consequently, the image and credibility of the IDF are at stake.
Defense Minister Israel Katz is right to act against the politicization of the army and its services, but he was wrong to act in a demagogic manner and for purely political reasons. He created unnecessary turmoil at a time when the current government's Minister of Communications, Shlomo Karhi, is considering extravagant reforms that could infringe upon press freedom.
Journalism is a true profession, and therefore, a highly committed activist or political figure cannot honestly cover a subject or case. Freedom of expression, doubt, and criticism must prevail. Questioning is the very reason for this noble profession's existence.
Army Radio represents a sacred symbol, a popular radio station that reflects the image of the IDF, Israel's people's army. In a country still at war, it is essential to safeguard this station while considering editorial reforms and broadcasting unfiltered news without political commentary. It is also important to continue high-quality military and strategic programming and to preserve the activities of the music station, Gal-Galatz, and its role in boosting troop morale and raising awareness about road safety.
Israeli society is going through an identity crisis and is searching for itself. It is deeply scarred by all the major events that have occurred, especially since the terrible massacre of October 7, 2023.
On the eve of legislative elections, let us return to reason and refrain from adding partisan decisions driven by personal and electoral interests to our serious problems.
