2 b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation http ://www. merriam-webster .com /dictionary/journalism

everybody loves it, but... news are news, opinions are opinions, they should be separated. Who is chosing, promoting journalists, speakers, cartoonists?... Put a majority of reds, blues or yellos opinion people in these posts and you will have a red, blue or yellow tending broadcast. So, the solution should be found and imposed on the top (I am not speaking of private or openly declared broadcasting chains, they are of course free - within certain limits of truth and decenciy established by law).

The law in question applies only to a tax-supported institution, the IBA. Freedom of expression does not mean you have the freedom to force the taxpayers to pay to publish your views. A private TV station or newspaper can decide what to print or not, and the individual writers do not have "freedom" to do otherwise. If the public is paying for something, the public can demand that it give an even and neutral report of the news without editorializing.

Back in the early 1970's when I worked as a press photographer and journalist in Israel, I tired to differentiate between 'reporting' (straight facts) and Journalism with a byline (when if may name appeared, I could express an opinion). I still tend to stick with this. If you are reading the news, yes, no personal opinion. If you are presenting a programme under you own byline, you are entitled to express an opinion, as long as it is clear that you are doing so. Otherwise, there is a danger of simply presenting the current government's views. That may be totally in line with some parts of the Middle East, but not in a Democracy.

is absolutely sacred in a democracy, without it there is no democracy. It is more sacred than any religious tenet, object or philosophy. I would suggest for starters that the Association of Israeli Journalists simply flout the law, and in order to show their contempt for Eichler and his ilk, make a particular point of expressing personal opinions each and every time they appear on the screen. This initiative and provocation will force it to come to the Supreme Court and in turn a settlement. In a true democracy the people decide, the law is interpreted by the judiciary, legislation by the Parliament which goes against the will of the people and the spirit of the law is unacceptable.