Exclusive "Eretz Yisroel Shelanu" Interview with Professor Eli Pollak, Chairman of the "Federation for the Public′s Right to Know"
"The Public Should be Involved and not Consume Unfair Media"
Prof. Eli Pollak has served for 15 years as Chairman of the "Federation for the Public′s Right to Know", that works against one - sided public media, and has filed thousands of complaints against professional distortions * Last week, even the "Federation for the Public′s Right to Know" was stunned by the amount of people who filed complaints against Gabi Gazit, a radio announcer who shot his mouth off against the orthodox and ultra- orthodox population, stirring up a huge storm
Professor Pollack, how you view the current Israeli media?
"In recent years, Israeli media has become more varied. There are more channels, more choices for all kinds of bodies to speak out - which did not exist 15 years ago. In the Internet Age and the multiplicity of channels, it is hard to ignore media discrepancies, as we did in the past. Another thing - the public is much more involved than in the past in what the Israeli media is doing, and is unwilling to accept things that are against basic ethics, by quiet understanding.
Professor Pollack gave two examples- only two of the many instances that have come up. One is the Anat Kam (who is accused of espionage) and Ha′aretz newspaper affair, and the other is Gabi Gazit′s statement against the settlers and ultra-Orthodox. After a handful of extremists from Neturei Karta burned the Israeli flag on independence day, and a confrontation between residents and soldiers from Yitzhar was created, Gazit said on his radio talk show, on "Non-stop Radio", that the ultra-Orthodox in general are "leeches", "parasites" and "bad". He called for them to be deported abroad or to be concentrated in their own neighborhoods, and to disconnect their water and electricity.
Professor Pollak says that the Ha′aretz newspaper is sectorial, and adds, "Unfortunately too many people read it,/ but following the Anat Kam affair, many have canceled their subscription to this newspaper and we hope that this trend will continue.
"As for Gazit," continues Professor Pollak, "I can tell you that over a hundred complaints were received against him following his last statement. Gabi Gazit acting like a jerk who exploits the distress of others to build himself up at their expense. The media must denounce all those unprofessional types like Gazit, who create a bad name. Unfortunately, this is not happening. "
Is it true that the media is left wing?
"I do not like these generalizations," replies Professor Pollak, "but if we take the majority of the media people that we know - most are from the left center and not center right. This means a lot. Therefore, I urge the public not to consume media that is not fair. Take the newspaper Yediot Acharonot, who calls himself "the State newspaper," is leftist inclined and does not recognize the existence of any other party. See the op-ed articles and count how many of them lean towards left, and how many are rightist. The Ha′aretz newspaper is at least honest and says is leftist, while Yediot is trying to say that it is the state′s newspaper. I call upon the public not to give a hand to such media that is not giving information to the public but to making one-sided propaganda."
What do you say about the war between the ′Israel Today′ and ′Yediot′ newspapers?
"Our Federation gives awards every year for fair communications and media. This year we gave the award to the editor of Israel Today. There is no doubt that they have created a real media earthquake and gave a tail wind to the media pluralism. You have to understand: the media belongs to the public- both the public communication and private communication sectors. Its power is drawn from the public, and the public must influence and affect change, and not give up. If broadcasters and the media are unfair, complaints are to be lodged to a their superiors. Complaints can also be lodged through us, and we must boycott any media that is conducted properly."
How can the private individual change things?
"We can call for advertisers to stop patronizing Gabi Gazit′s program. We can boycott companies that have Gabi Gazit advertise their products in his own voice. Complaints should be lodged against injustices in the media. We receive thousands of complaints, take care of them and pass them on to the media agencies. The public must be involved and influence the media. I urge the public to enter our site, to complain about the injustices of the media, and to consume fair and positive media only. " |
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