Netanyahu's Coalition Closes Army Radio, Citing 'Excessive Freedom'
The New Arab reports that Israel’s far-right government plans to shutter Army Radio, citing financial woes and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Israeli journalists, however, call it a blatant crackdown on press freedom, adding to a long record of muzzling dissent. This isn't newfound concern for journalistic integrity; Netanyahu’s governments have consistently sought to control the narrative, often
targeting outlets perceived as less-than-loyal. Remember how critics of Israeli policies globally are routinely labeled 'antisemitic' while actual domestic suppression goes conveniently unnoticed? Perhaps the real 'inefficiency' for the coalition was a platform that occasionally, however mildly, strayed from the party line. Free expression, particularly during a protracted conflict, is often the
first casualty when those in power prefer unchallenged narratives. It seems even 'army' radio was too liberal for a government increasingly comfortable with unchecked power.