The State of Israel is being harshly criticized for making changes to its laws affecting "Freedom of the Press". The yelling is so loud that one would assume Israel is shutting down Free Press rights.
The truth is a bit different.
The Knesset is making some simple changes to libel and slander laws, making it easier to sue for slander and libel and making the penalties (which were quite low) a bit higher. Other nations have done the same thing without the great international whining by the press.
...
What the new law does is penalize lying and punishes bad journalism. Why is that bad?
The World Press has forgotten the basic rules of good journalism: Check your sources. Separate opinion from fact clearly. Make sure sources are credible and that there are supporting sources.
Instead, journalism has become a game of accusations, unverified opinion (most often politically correct) masquerading as fact.
Enacting laws is the consequence of press irresponsibility and lack of ethical conduct.
The truth is a bit different.
The Knesset is making some simple changes to libel and slander laws, making it easier to sue for slander and libel and making the penalties (which were quite low) a bit higher. Other nations have done the same thing without the great international whining by the press.
...
What the new law does is penalize lying and punishes bad journalism. Why is that bad?
The World Press has forgotten the basic rules of good journalism: Check your sources. Separate opinion from fact clearly. Make sure sources are credible and that there are supporting sources.
Instead, journalism has become a game of accusations, unverified opinion (most often politically correct) masquerading as fact.
Enacting laws is the consequence of press irresponsibility and lack of ethical conduct.
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