"He is a serial liar," Betsalel Smotrich, a leader of Religious Zionism, said in a private recording criticizing the goings-on of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Publishing audios like this, which generated controversy in the right-wing bloc a few days before the elections, could be prohibited if a new law promoted by the coalition in power prospers.
MP Boaz Bismuth, who left his position as director of the Israel Hayom newspaper to join the Likud, has introduced a bill to ban the disclosure of private recordings without consent. According to the former journalist, the first initiative he presented will prevent damage to privacy. If it ends up prospering, leaks published by the media or citizens will be considered a criminal offense. Bismuth's proposal will require prior consent from anyone interested in publishing material that affects someone's private life. “In today's technological age, it is easy to record chats with sensitive material. The legal modification will ensure that said publications are considered a violation of personal privacy”, the deputy claimed.
The new law has sparked strong criticism, especially among journalists, who classify it as damaging press freedom and its power to reveal injustices. In addition, it is a mechanism habitually used by citizens. Thanks to audio leaks, cases of discrimination, racism or abuse were reported that sparked great indignation, such as those carried out by caregivers for the elderly or babies, police excesses or attacks on homosexuals.
“If the plans of the Netanyahu government are fulfilled, the blow to journalism will damage the essence of the profession. After receiving a recording of public interest, the mainstream media will be frightened, and whoever dares to publish it may be prosecuted," says Refaella Goichman in the Ha'aretz newspaper. For the columnist, it means raising a step in Netanyahu's interest in "hiding the truth."
The revelations of private chats have helped to unravel far-reaching commotions such as Case 2,000, one of the three legal cases in which the prime minister is accused. In talks with Noni Mozes, editor of the Yediot Aharonot newspaper, Netanyahu negotiated more favorable coverage of him and his family in exchange for weakening the mass circulation of the free Israel Hayom, which hurt Mozes' private business.
Another leak that damaged the image of the premier was the talks carried out by Yair, his youngest son. During a visit to a strip club with the son of a gas magnate, Netanyahu's controversial eldest son spoke disparagingly about women and hinted at gross corruption. In full parliamentary debate on the regulation of the natural gas sector, Yair assured that Netanyahu "arranged" 20 billion dollars for the father of his friend.
The new law is drafted in a generic way, without clarifying the specific contents that would lead to a violation of privacy. Currently, Israeli law allows the recording of conversations or calls without the knowledge of the interlocutor. "Part of our job is to reveal content that some prefer to remain hidden," denounced the Union of Israel Journalists. At the same time, the Government is studying a law to weaken the public channel Kan11, recognized in the country for its pluralism.
