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Report: Media freedom shrinks in Israel
Associated Press
Published: 20.10.09, 13:48
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31 Talkbacks for this article
1. worlwide watchdogs
marci lewis ,   ft ldle us   (10.20.09)
why oh why is the whole worl obsessed with everything that is done in Israel? how many houses we build, how many enemy people die in our wars, what we print and don't print in our newspapers. and my biggest question ias, WHY DO WE CARE?
2. Not surprised at RWB.
Heather Czerniak ,   Milwaukee, USA   (10.20.09)
They're just as biased as any other watchdog group. They should've known that if Israel allowed them to follow Israeli troops into Gaza, they might have been killed by Hamas and Hamas would blame it on Israel. The Israelis aren't idiots.
3. I guess its hard to be report truths in the middle of propag
Caroline ,   TA   (10.20.09)
propaganda for the blissfully religious superior or, like we say in the real world, deluded
4. the trade mark of Israel is dropping...
Krzyszto ,   Heidelberg, Germany   (10.20.09)
together with drop of Israeli universities on the ranking, appointment of people like Lieberman and crime rate, Jews are losing a direction on a compass... Not only nobody really preceives us as a lantern among nations, but the performance of the Jewish state is dropping... One has to face the facts. I believe the radicalization of people, the situation of war every few years, the settlement project are the main responsible. I hope that after disconnecting from West Bank and concentrating on you yourself, Israel will be able to regain the proper position. Unfortunately, right-wing hardliners will be pointing their fingers to all the others...
5. FREEDOM OF PRESS ?
BENJAMIN ,   SINGAPORE   (10.20.09)
THE DAY THE PRESS REPORTS ACCURATELY IS THE DAY I BELIEF THARE ID FREEDOM OF PRESS, journalist ARE knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but MAY IT BE KNOWN JOURNALISH cannot be wise with other men's wisdom. WHEN YOU SAY JOURNALIST HAVE NO FREEDOM IN ISRAEL OR IN SINGAPORE- THAT IS JUST A BAG OF LIES- AND FOR SUCH LIYING JOURNALIST- WE JUST HAVE TOO SUE THEM IN THE COURT OF LAW. THESE JOURNALIST HAVE A COMMON HABIT THEY COMMIT ALL THE DEFAMATION AND BLAME THE STATE FOR NOT GIVING THEM FREEDOM OF SPEECH ! jOURNALIST ARE LIAR LIARS WHO MAKE MONEY BY PAID JOURNALISM- NOW THEY STARTED HIJACKING ISRAEL .
6. AND journalism SINKS TO THE BOTTOM PITS : -)
BENJAMIN ,   SINGAPORE   (10.20.09)
WAHABI MONEY BUY JOURNALISM. JOURNALIST WRITE FOR MONEY. AS SUCH IT IS JOURNALSIM THAT SHRINKS FREEDOM OF SPEECH !
7. Free?
Invicta   (10.20.09)
It mustn't be forgotten that Israel also has a proud history of killing journalists who report from Gaza and the West Bank. It's hardly surprising that israel is so far down the list of countries with a free press when Israel is gripped within a right wing bigitory xenophobia. The shamefull attempt to hush up the massacre in Gaza was worthy of any totalitarian regime. And blaming the findings of an internationally respected organisation (see also Amnesty International, The Red Cross etc) on anti israel bias is also further evidence of delusion, denial and totalitarianism.
8. Viva Lebanon!
Invicta   (10.20.09)
'"This nose-dive means it has lost its place at the head of the Middle Eastern countries," the group said. Israel is now ranked behind Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon. '' Ha, ha. The only 'democracy' in the ME? The only enlightened country in the ME? Your nasty, little country is being exposed for what it is. Good for Lebanon, another country that has suffered the evil of Israel's occupation and massacres.
9. Complain about being injured but want to be in war zones
rebecca ,   Modiin   (10.20.09)
The reason Journalist are banned from war zones are becuase troops dont want to babysit them. There is no place for non-combatants in a war. And if they insist on being in the middle of it, be prepared to be injured or killed. BTW Israel closed the borders during the gaza war to EVERYONE. The reason there were no reportes in GAZA is because there were noreporters in Gaza at the time. They dont want to be there after the BBC reporter was held hostage by Hamas.
10. Al Jazeera broadcasted live hits on Haifa in 2006
(10.20.09)
So Hezbollah can aim better. Journalism my $$$
11. #9
Invicta   (10.20.09)
The reason there were no reporters in Gaza is because the Israelis wouldn't let them in (the same reason why there is no food and medicine) Why weren't the reporters permitted to enter after the massacre? Why weren't international peace protestors permitted to enter after the massacre? Because israel didn't want anyone to see the carnage. (Also, the BBC reporter was not held hostage by Hamas).
12. #1 & 2
Shlomo Kamra   (10.20.09)
Why Marci? Because Israel tries to tell the world it is incapable of doing any wrong or harming other non-jews. Yet time and time again, it does the opposite, and commits horendous acts of evil. The world is facinated by the hypocracy, double standrds, and also because we all know that WWIII will most likely begin in the ME because of something Israel says or does. Journalists were banned because Israel did not want any evidence, or reporting of facts that might put Israel into a bad light during Cast Lead. The danger, Heather, does not stop journalists reporting in any other war zone in the world, bar Iraq, which the yanks control. The journalists pleaded, but Israel declared Gaza a closed miliatry zone, like Jenan before it. Thank God for Al Jazera, who did an excellent job inside Gaza, where they were trapped for the 22 days. All of those reporters deserve every award that they receive, and more!! I watched it outside of the ME, and saw horrors beyond belief!
13. With one journalist reporting live on Israeli movements ...
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (10.20.09)
... one has to question how responsive they would have been to military censorship. And, seriously, didn't the IDF have enough to worry about than yet more civilians wandering about? Kuwait, the UAE and Lebanon more "free"? I guess from the first two, they can file daily reports about the latest mega-mall (but don't dare write about local corruption). From Lebanon, I challenge them to freely report and investigate what goes on south of the Litani.
14. Of course media freedom is shrinking in Israel.
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (10.20.09)
They don't want you to see that murderous activity going on the Gaza. Evil lurkes in the darkest of lies and refuses to come out into the light of truth.
15. Please #4
Jason, Ph.D. ,   Charlotte, USA   (10.20.09)
Please do your own investigating before you believe something that some organization says. Think about it for a moment: Do you really think Israel's freedom of the press is inferior to Lebanon's. The Jews continue to be a lantern to the world, but much of the world would prefer not to see the light. In other words, nothing has really changed.
16. how about this?
alex ,   tel-aviv   (10.20.09)
Israel, with a population of 7.4 million, is home to at least 80 human rights organizations, a vibrant free press, a democratically elected government, a judiciary that frequently rules against the government, a politically active academia, multiple political parties and, judging by the amount of news coverage, probably more journalists per capita than any other country in the world - many of whom are there expressly to cover the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
17. Its funny...how despite "crackdown" media still reports lies
Australian Guy ,   Australia   (10.20.09)
Yes, isnt it amazing...no access ..but still the lies and mis-information still flows as just the same....they dont need to be there , do they...because the "truth" always gets out... via 'reliable Palestinian sources" :-) Israel is right to stop media twits from unfettered movement - especially in war zones. These people are a pain the ass.
18. None of the top 20 countries are at war!
redbourn ,   tel aviv - Israel   (10.20.09)
http://www.rsf.org/en-classement1003-2009.html Pretty stupid assessment. They need to separate countries at war from those that are not. Mike
19. Israel prevented Hamas propaganda
(10.20.09)
20. Invicta, #8
Jason, Ph.D. ,   Charlotte, USA   (10.20.09)
I am so glad Lebanon is ahead of Israel with regard to freedom of the press. Invicta, can you please direct me to a Lebanese news online website that has Talkbacks? I so look forward to your answer!
21. Freedom of the press?
AK   (10.20.09)
How many of the top countries dared to reproduce Mohamed cartoons? (Denmark did, who else?) How many tv stationed showed Fitna? None. The list is a joke and the organization is a hypocritical perversion of journalistic integrity.
22. Jason, put this in your pipe and smoke it.
Noor ,   Palestine   (10.20.09)
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/# Initially based in Lebanon!
23. #4, Explain why israel has more new patents than Germany?
AK   (10.20.09)
24. AK, you just dont get it.
Noor ,   Palestine   (10.20.09)
"How many of the top countries dared to reproduce Mohamed cartoons? (Denmark did, who else?) How many tv stationed showed Fitna? None. " Well, don't be surprised, mate. Those cartoons were created and designed by known Muslim-haters, with the intention of defacing the image of the Muslim world and the religion of Islam. Freedom of the press can only go such a long way mate. "The list is a joke and the organization is a hypocritical perversion of journalistic integrity. " No mate, YOU are the fool portraying the most unequivocal example of a hate-crime apologist. I cant help but take your comments as condescending. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it, mate.
25. heres why US
Oath Keeper   (10.20.09)
The reason US went from 40 to 20 is because all the conservative outlets except Fox have been shut down. Once they have Fox and Rush Limbaugh off the air, the US will have the #1 most free press in the world. Nevermind that the liberal press is actually nothing more than sycophantic cheerleaders for the communist marxist takeover con man, Obama. Everyone is FREE in America to worship Obama, especially MSNBC, the Times, Huffington Post, CNN...
26. Noor, #22
Jason, Ph.D. ,   Charlotte, USA   (10.20.09)
I have to admit that the link looks interesting. I'll have to check it out more. If it is not currently based in Lebanon, where is it based? I am happy that Lebanon has this, but you and I still know that Israel's press is more free than Lebanon's. Oh, by the way, I don't smoke. :)
27. #13 Raymond...Hear, hear
Mark ,   Lodz, Poland   (10.20.09)
28. Report: Media freedom shrinks in Israel
Marco ,   Spain   (10.20.09)
Is that why Ynet has been censoring my tbs addressed to Noor?????
29. #26 Jason (dont forget the Ph.D) USA
Marco ,   Spain   (10.20.09)
If the Israeli press is free as you claim, why is it that often that when articles are posted on line, they have to be cleared by military censors? This is not a sign of free press, it is the sign of a police state.
30. noor
Marco ,   Spain   (10.20.09)
Sorry Noor, but it seems that the blocade of Gaza has been extended by the Zionist state to include a blocade against all Palestinians everywhere. All of my tbs addressed to you (with the exception of a few that manage to slip by unnoticed) has been censored by Ynet. It seems that Ynet is under instructions by the corrupt government of Israel to extend the blocade beyond Gaza. Cant wait for the arrest warrants to start coming out from the Hague.
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