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Libel bill passes first Knesset reading
Moran Azulay
Published: 21.11.11, 23:55
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17 Talkbacks for this article
1. Just another attempt of Big Religion to oppress the Israeli
Josh   (11.22.11)
As the article states, this is only for the rich. Assaults don't get this type of legislation nor policing, yet these fat cats who likely have a trail of mooks doing defamation and such want to spread terror and collapse people financially before the truth be found out about them. Even pro-tec-xia that harms people and seeks to destroy their reputation or finances gets little preemption. But some big figure in the public eye gets rich if criticized? The give away that this is for the great (not great) Rabbinical protection as well as organized crime can be found in the words "when it comes to a person's honor". Words like "great", "sage", and "honor" are simply mind games meant to intimidate others. Few if any man can claim greatness and not be deceiving others. What next "honor killings" The law as it currently sits has been used enough by fat cats, there is no need to slap the average Israeli Jew with insults on top of injury from these pompous mules.
2. Good
Adam Neira ,   Melb, Australia   (11.22.11)
Slander, libel and defamation can seriously affect a person's progress in life. King David was constantly undermined before his sovereignty was recognized. People also hated Moses because he told the the truth.
3. a law of lawyers earnings improvement?
myname   (11.22.11)
I wonder what percent of lawyers in Knesset voted for it compared to non lawyers? Is the primary goal pf this law to increase fellow lawyers earnings?
4. It's about time
David ,   On this planet   (11.22.11)
Haaretz their writers and their supporters, You either start acting like a real News Media and respect the country you live in or pay the price and go bankrupt, Your end is near and I will never have regrets
5. In the Land of Lashon Har'ra'a
Norbus ,   Jerusalem   (11.22.11)
The press has led a charmed life in Israel unchecked and hardly regulated trying to emulate the USA and usurp the power to dictate to the public they are meant to serve and to shape perception according to their own vision not to truth & justice The new bill is commendable to build in some much needed checks & balances Thou shall not lie!
6. It is about TIME!
Armand ,   Los Angeles, USA   (11.22.11)
Congratulation Israel for finally adopting a law that discourages defamation and libel. Now the Israeli Government should Take to International Courts Leftist NGO's for their LIES and Libel against the sate of Israel and for their FALSE accusations such as APARTHEID etc... Leftist NGO's operating in Israel should be KICKED out of the country. Leftist Israelis acting against Israel and serving the agendas of the like of SOROS and ISLAMIST organizations,...should be TRIED for TREASON!
7. Journalists possess enormous power
Robert Haymond ,   Israel/Canada   (11.22.11)
in a day and age when information can be so fluidly circulated and a person's reputation is so easily injured as a result. The least we can do is state that a journalist must have backing for his statements, reasonable proof, not just gossip, lies and deception. In other words, why shouldn't journalists be expected to be professional? And if not, given their great power to harm, inform, influence and educate, then they and their publisher must be held accountable. Does this put a lid on things? Yes, a lid on scurrilous commentary. Let journalists become responsible.
8. with so much garbage being passed as news
Larry ,   Los Angeles   (11.22.11)
it is a relief to know that news reporters are going to be responsible for having a serious repercussion for including in their news stories damaging and slanderous statements. These statements 'kill' and stifle. It takes months to prove that they are scandalous and by the time the reporter is actually brought to court and fined, the damage in done in the eyes of the public.
9. It should be an inverse relationship
Logic ,   Israel   (11.22.11)
The more powerful you are and the more of a public figure you are, the less you should be protected by libel laws.
10. Why is there any maximum on libel at all?
Bill ,   New York, USA   (11.22.11)
In the US and UK, there are no maximum damages from libel. It is based on what the finder of fact (judge or jury as the case may be) determines the damages to be. Often there is a punitive damages component. Before left-wing critics proclaim the death of democracy, perhaps they should learn something about the laws of the countries they hold as exemplary.
11. I could get fined millions and for the TRUTH no less.
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (11.22.11)
12. It has nothing to do with journalists
Nomæd ,   Israel   (11.22.11)
This law makes no distinction between journalists and ordinary citizens. It gives even more power to those with the money, who already pretty much control every aspect of this country. It is just one law in a long line of new laws and approved proposals, to eliminate oposition to the well financed rightwing government. Soon Israel will be as democratic as Russia. Afterwards, like Iran. Great success for the Jews, right?
13. so if (when) a politician lies he/she gets paid 4 it?!
Ami ,   Israel   (11.22.11)
In other words, politicians and certain other interest groups are allowed to lie, malign, insult, slander, and/or libel without having to pay a fine. and the whistleblowers (whether they be constituents, journalists or other minority interest groups) are fined for calling the politicians on the carpet for their actions! Wow! Now there's a highly democratic law (not) for you!
14. abusing: freedom of speech, reveal truth, democracy
mary of bethany ,   singapore   (11.22.11)
with the freedom of speech, one respect his freedom thus restrict himself to report only facts and not one-sided bias half-truth. your freedom to write does not grant you the freedom to write all things you hear or see or believe. in name of revealing the truth, you may in the end hurt the innocent and the justify the oppressors. not all truth should be revealed, as the evil ones used by Satan are all out to lure gullible naive souls to leak secrets that will harm the innocents. democracy is not a springboard to slandering your country leaders openly and ranting spirited emotional over-exaggerated half-truth. democracy don't give you the right to rant anything in public foreign forum or on-web to distort truth. Many naive common people may because of admire your spirit and courage thus believe whatever bias view you hold. sometimes majority are not always right, there are cases when everyone blinded by some persuasive power, and everyone do what is right in his own eyes, profane the laws.
15. #1 - all religious are wealthy?
William ,   Israel   (11.22.11)
Is that what your post meant to convey?
16. Speaking the truth
Torri ,   Naugatuck,USA   (11.24.11)
If one speaks the truth with facts to back it up what must one fear? It is written in the LAW, "You shall not bear FALSE WITNESS against your neighbor". Is not this libel bill stating the same moral commandment with consequences if you break it? Does God not state there will be consequences if you break His LAW?
17. what truth? Where?
Pontus ,   sthlm, sweden   (11.26.11)
A recent study in America shows that people who watch Fox News know less about current events than people who don't watch news at all. Haaretz can go far sometimes but if you take Fox News out of the equation they are much closer to the impartial reports of international media than this newspaper. So who's slandering who? This is such a stupid law and it's another proof that Israel needs a new way. At this rate it'll be a fascist police state in a couple of years.
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