Milan, 20 August (LaPresse) – The Israeli High Court has unanimously overturned Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s decision to shut down Army Radio, declaring it invalid. According to the judges, the government’s decision was taken “on the basis of an extraneous and invalid consideration: the decision-makers’ dissatisfaction with the fact that the broadcasts, in their view, contradicted their positions”. The High Court also described it as “unacceptable for a person in a position of governmental authority to decide that a broadcaster’s words are not to their liking and that, therefore, the microphone must be switched off”. Ynet reports that “the judges unanimously ruled that the decision was motivated by dissatisfaction with broadcasts deemed to be opposed to the government, whilst emphasising, however, that Army Radio could still be shut down through lawful proceedings”.
Israel: High Court overturns government decision to close army radio station
Milan, 20 August (LaPresse) – The Israeli High Court has unanimously overturned Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s decision to shut down Army Radio, declaring it invalid. According to the judges, the government’s decision was taken “on the basis of an extraneous and invalid consideration: the decision-makers’ dissatisfaction with the fact that the broadcasts, in their view, contradicted their positions”. The High Court also described it as “unacceptable for a person in a position of governmental authority to decide that a broadcaster’s words are not to their liking and that, therefore, the microphone must be switched off”. Ynet reports that “the judges unanimously ruled that the decision was motivated by dissatisfaction with broadcasts deemed to be opposed to the government, whilst emphasising, however, that Army Radio could still be shut down through lawful proceedings”.