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צילום: ויז'ואל/פוטוס
Israelis protest plan to close classical music radio station
Tens of thousands of people appeal to Israel Broadcasting Authority in bid to save Kol Hamusica station; option to keep station open being considered
Tens of thousands of people have appealed to the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) against the plans to close the classical music radio station Kol Hamusica.
The IBA did not remain indifferent to the protest and is apparently considering keeping the station open.
Tens of thousands of listeners have sent letters and emails and made phone calls to the IBA, asking that the planned merger between the Moreshet department, the Reshet Aleph radio station and the Kol Hamusic station be cancelled.
The merger was one of the recommendations made by the Task company, which advises the IBA on reform issues, mainly based on economic considerations.
According to the proposal, Kol Hamusica would be shut down in order to reduce the IBA's heavy deficit. Its programs would be assimilated into the transmissions of united Moreshet and Reshet Aleph station, reducing its broadcasts to six hours a day.
Ynet has learned that the head of the Center for the Blind in Israel recently issued a petition against the decision, claiming that the station was relevant to the public he was speaking for.
Two other petitions, in Hebrew and in Russian, were distributed on the internet, protesting the plan to close the only Israeli station broadcasting classical music on a permanent basis.
According to IBA officials, the recommendations have yet to be approved and no decision has been made to close the station.
IBA chairman Moshe Gavish said Monday, "At this stage there is no plan to close the Kol Hamusica and Reshet Aleph stations."
