PM's Office to take over Educational TV?
Officials looking into possibility of subjecting Educational Television to minister in charge of Israel Broadcasting Authority – Benjamin Netanyahu. Education minister said to oppose move
As first reported by Channel 2 News, this is the reason the government has yet to approve the appointment of Eldad Koblentz as Educational TV director-general, although he was selected by a search committee about a month ago.
Following Yaffa Vigodski's resignation from the role of Educational TV director-general about three months ago, Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar appointed a search committee, headed by Education Ministry Director-General Dr. Shimshon Shoshani, to select a candidate for the job.
About a month ago, the committee unanimously selected former Galgalatz Radio Director Eldad Koblentz, who was responsible for the channel's new broadcasting schedule. The appointment was submitted to the government for approval, but was dropped from the cabinet meeting's agenda three times.
Now it appears that the reason for the delay is the desire to subject Educational TV to IBA and to the minister in charge of IBA – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sources in the Prime Minister's Office did not deny the report, saying that "we are looking into structural changes in Educational TV, which will be followed by the appointment of a director-general."
Educational TV sources, however, say they are unaware of the discussed changes. Sources close to Education Minister Sa'ar say he was not involved in the move and opposes it.
Sources close to Koblentz say no one has spoken to him but that he too has heard that his appointment as Educational Television director-general is being delayed due to the desire to make some changes in the channel.
'Political intervention'
The current move by the Prime Minister's Office follows many complaints of political intervention in the Israeli media on the part of the political echelon.
In September, the Defense Ministry and Minister Ehud Barak was accused of intervening in the possible appointment of Channel 1's leading news anchor Yinon Magal as Army Radio commander.
Later on, Yoni Ben-Menachem was appointed IBA director-general and Michael Miro was appointed Israel Radio director. Both were the candidates favored by the prime minister.
Many complaints have been made of political persecution in both IBA and Israel Radio following the appointments.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
