JERUSALEM, Israel — Israel’s Knesset on Thursday, July 16, approved comprehensive legislation restructuring the nation’s broadcast media regulatory framework, marking one of the final major measures passed before lawmakers concluded the current legislative session ahead of the scheduled October elections. The bill, introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, passed its second and third readings by a vote of 53-48, completing the legislative process and becoming part of Israel’s statutory framework governing the country’s broadcasting industry.

The legislation represents a broad overhaul of how television and broadcast media will be regulated in Israel. It replaces the existing regulatory structure with a new framework that consolidates oversight responsibilities under a newly established authority while updating numerous provisions governing broadcasters, television platforms and the administration of broadcast regulation.

Among the changes included in the law are revisions to broadcaster licensing requirements, regulatory oversight, media ownership rules, television audience measurement procedures and the administration of certain government advertising activities. The legislation also modifies several long-standing regulatory requirements that previously applied to licensed broadcasters and updates the legal framework governing television distribution platforms operating throughout the country.

Lawmakers approved the measure during the coalition’s final legislative push before the Knesset adjourned ahead of Israel’s upcoming national election campaign. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended the parliamentary debate before the legislation received final approval.

The new law establishes a revised regulatory model designed to oversee Israel’s broadcasting sector under a unified framework. As implementation moves forward, responsibilities previously divided among multiple regulatory bodies will transition to the new structure established by the legislation.

The measure also contains provisions affecting television distribution platforms and their broadcasting obligations. One amendment adopted as part of the legislation exempts Channel 14 from a newly established content distribution requirement that applies under specific circumstances outlined in the law.

Israel’s broadcasting industry includes national television networks, cable and satellite providers, digital television platforms and commercial broadcasters operating under government regulation. The new legislation updates the legal framework governing many of those entities and establishes new administrative procedures for oversight of the sector.

The passage of the legislation concludes months of parliamentary work on the proposal through committee review, amendments and multiple readings before receiving final approval in the Knesset. With the legislative process complete, the law now advances to implementation in accordance with the timetable and provisions established within the statute.

Government agencies responsible for communications and broadcasting regulation are expected to begin implementing the new regulatory framework in the coming months, including the organizational changes necessary to transition responsibilities to the authority established under the legislation.

The approval of the measure marks one of the most significant revisions to Israel’s broadcast media regulatory structure in recent years and updates the statutory framework governing television broadcasting, regulatory administration and media oversight across the country.

JBizNews Desk | Jerusalem

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