Even From Within the Israeli Media It's Clear

Media’s overwhelming endorsement of Shalit deal does not serve our national interest

So writes Yaron Dekel, Channel 1’s political commentator and hosts the “All Talk [Hakol Dibburim]” radio show on Israel Radio.

Extracts:

One cannot but admire Aviva and Noam Shalit...It was not easy for them to embark on the aggressive campaign against the prime minister and share their feelings with the entire nation of Israel...

Fortunately for them, the Israeli press waited for the current stage in the struggle and is now all over it, as if it found a great treasure. The Israeli media has already decided: Gilad must be released, at any price, and the earlier the better. As such, the media has devoted itself to the family’s campaign, while choosing to forget that the story is more complex and less simplistic than the abduct soldier’s family wishes to present it.

To the press’ credit, we can say that it is conducting itself consistently. During the campaign to return the bodies of IDF casualties Regev and Goldwasser, may they rest in peace, the media did not remain on the sidelines either. It pressed the PM and government ministers until the deal was executed. It also refused to highlight the fact it was aware of for a long time: We were dealing with bodies, rather than living soldiers...In the months before the deal, the media knew the truth. It was aware of it, but remained silent...

What happened back then is again happening now...However, the media betrays its duty when it presents only one side of this painful story – the Shalit family’s side. It willingly takes part in the effort to bring tears to our eyes.

...Those who object to the deal are only marginally mentioned compared to the media festival and live coverage from the Shalit family’s protest tent. Is it any wonder that populist politicians who seek short-lived glory are rushing to the tent? They do understand the concept of rating.

...The media has chosen to serve the Shalit family and not the public interest. But good journalism is tested in difficult times, not easy times...Journalism has a decisive role to play in a democratic society. Its role is not to move hearts.

In today’s media environment, a decision-maker who dares swim against the current is risking a long-term decline in popularity. After the first terror attack is carried out by one of those released, there will be people who roll their eyes and say: “But we cautioned.”

The media has a right to press the decision-makers to decide. It has a right to bring human-interest stories. But it also has an obligation to bring the complex sides of the story to the public’s notice and not just make do with one side of the story.

This is not coverage. This is a campaign...media outlets that hold back information and prefer to be emotional are populist and superficial, and most of all, betray their duty.