16 September 2008 OpenȱSourceȱCenter Media Aid Israel -- Hebrew- and English-Language Media Guide This OSC product is based exclusively on the content and behavior of selected media and has not been coordinated with other US Government components. Israel -- Hebrew- and English-Language Media Guide Table of Contents To navigate quickly to a topic of interest, click on the subheads below. 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 2. Media Environment ........................................................................................................... 5 2.1. Military Censorship Rarely Exercised ........................................................................ 5 2.2. New Journalism Bill .................................................................................................... 6 2.3. Press Council .............................................................................................................. 6 2.4. Ethnocentricity in Israeli Media ................................................................................. 7 2.5. Stereotypical Portrayal of Immigrants........................................................................ 7 2.6. Journalists Maintain Close Relations With Politicians .............................................. 8 2.7. Family-Owned Conglomerates Dominate Media Industry ......................................... 8 2.8. Lack of Competition Criticized ................................................................................. 10 3. Press................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1. Circulation.................................................................................................................11 3.2. Print Newspapers Losing Ground to Internet ........................................................... 12 3.3. Characteristics of Israeli Press Reporting................................................................ 14 3.4. Press Reflects Broad Spectrum of Public Opinion.................................................... 14 3.5. Yedi'ot Aharonot........................................................................................................ 15 3.6. Ma'ariv ...................................................................................................................... 16 3.7. Ha'aretz ..................................................................................................................... 18 3.8. The Jerusalem Post ................................................................................................... 20 3.9. Globes........................................................................................................................ 21 3.10. Maqor Rishon............................................................................................................ 22 3.11. Hatzofe....................................................................................................................... 23 3.12. The Jerusalem Report................................................................................................ 24 3.13. Free Newspapers....................................................................................................... 25 3.13.1. 24 Daqot............................................................................................................. 25 3.13.2. Yisra'el Hayom................................................................................................... 25 3.13.3. Yisra'el Post (Metro Israel) ............................................................................... 27 4. Ultra-Orthodox Press....................................................................................................... 28 4.1. Hamodi'a ................................................................................................................... 29 4.2. Yated Ne'eman........................................................................................................... 30 4.3. Yom Leyom ................................................................................................................ 31 5. Broadcast Media...............................................................................................................31 5.1. Television Overview .................................................................................................. 32 5.2. State-Run Television.................................................................................................. 34 5.2.1. Israel Broadcasting Authority ........................................................................... 34 5.2.2. Channel 1........................................................................................................... 35 5.2.3. Channel 33......................................................................................................... 36 5.2.4. Israel Educational Television ............................................................................ 36 5.3. Commercial Television.............................................................................................. 37 5.3.1. Channel 2........................................................................................................... 37 5.3.2. Channel 10......................................................................................................... 41 This OSC product is based exclusively on the content and behavior of selected media and has not been coordinated with other US Government components. 2 5.4. Cable, Satellite Television......................................................................................... 43 5.5. Cable Television........................................................................................................ 44 5.5.1. HOT.................................................................................................................... 44 5.6. Satellite Television .................................................................................................... 45 5.6.1. YES..................................................................................................................... 45 5.7. Radio ......................................................................................................................... 46 5.7.1. Voice of Israel.................................................................................................... 47 5.7.2. IDF Radio .......................................................................................................... 49 5.7.3. Regional Radio Stations..................................................................................... 50 5.7.4. Pirate Radios ..................................................................................................... 51 6. Market Liberalization of Israeli Telecommunications ................................................. 52 7. Internet.............................................................................................................................. 55 7.1. Cost............................................................................................................................ 58 7.2. Israeli Internet Activities........................................................................................... 58 7.3. Demographic Profile of Adult Internet Users ........................................................... 60 7.4. Educating Israelis on the Internet............................................................................. 61 7.5. Opposition to the Internet ......................................................................................... 62 7.6. Popular Websites....................................................................................................... 62 7.7. Internet Advertising................................................................................................... 64 7.8. Political Websites...................................................................................................... 64 7.9. Domain Names .......................................................................................................... 64 7.10. Internet Technology................................................................................................... 65 7.11. Internet-Related Laws, Regulations .......................................................................... 65 7.11.1. Copyright Act of 1911........................................................................................ 65 7.11.2. Defamation Law 1965........................................................................................ 66 7.11.3. Pending Legislation To Reveal Talkbackers' Identities, Limit Access to Adult Content............................................................................................................... 66 8. News Sites/Publications.................................................................................................... 67 9. Commercial Television Stations...................................................................................... 69 10. Portals................................................................................................................................ 69 11. Government Sites .............................................................................................................70 12. Right-Wing/Settlers'