The Israeli public overwhelmingly opposes a new law meant to ban the distribution of free daily newspapers, specifically aimed at shuttering Israel Hayom, a new Israel Hayom-New Wave Research poll has found. Of those polled, 76 percent said they opposed the new law, while only 13% said they were in favor of it. The bill was rejected even among the vast majority of Israelis who read Yedioth Ahronoth -- Israel Hayom's chief competitor -- with 80% of those polled saying they opposed the bill. Among Israel Hayom readers, 92% said they were against the proposal. The survey also proved that the public is not buying legislators' pathetic attempts to present the bill as essential for a stronger Israeli democracy. When asked whether closing down the newspaper was necessary to preserve democracy, 73% answered "no." Moreover, 69% said that the law would actually do free speech more harm than good, contrary to what the bill's sponsors have insisted. The public also had no qualms ripping the mask from legislators' faces -- only 8% said they believed that the bill's authors have the public interest at heart. Additionally, 46% pointed to the private interests of competing newspapers as being behind the legislation, while 31% believe that the MKs who proposed the bill did so for selfish reasons: their own personal benefit. In other words, the vast majority, or 77% of Jewish Israelis polled, understand that the law was not born of virtuous attempts to safeguard democratic values and free speech, as the legislators claim, but rather of external influences -- the personal interests of legislators and competitor newspaper owners. The public has spoken loud and clear: It does not want this law, for it violates free speech, contributes nothing to democracy and stems from self-serving interests -- legislators should take heed. The "bill for the promotion and protection of the printed media in Israel," proposed by Labor MK Eitan Cabel, refers specifically to a newspaper that is distributed six days a week with at least 30 pages per edition on workdays and 100 pages on weekends and holidays -- a precise description of Israel Hayom and no other Israeli newspaper. If the law is passed, the newspaper will have to be sold at a "symbolic" price. But is the intention of this law truly to protect journalism or ward off violations of journalistic freedom? Since the outset of the campaign, Israelis have refused to keep their mouths shut. Hundreds of Israelis have taken to online forums to support nipping this bill in the bud. "Again, the country's Left is trying in every way to silence us, nothing more," wrote Harel Hajebi. "The country's right-wing stopped being naive long ago, understanding that finally there is one true newspaper in this country -- Israel Hayom." Hajebi urged, "Keep backing the only newspaper in the country that reflects the true picture, and isn't just a platform for leftists trying to sell the state 'for a pot of lentils.' The Jewish state of Israel will remain the only safe place in the world for the Jewish people." Another user wrote, "There are people who don't have money, or access to the Internet. They are waiting to get the newspaper." John Gulgula backed him up: "A stupid law. If a newspaper cannot be distributed for free, neither should Channel 2, 10, the Ynet website or Haaretz's website." Ahuva Applebaum also was not convinced. "Why do we need a newspaper if everything's online? And why do we need to pay for a newspaper-" she asked. "Newspapers should make their profits from advertisements, most of which are in the newspaper itself, certainly not the customer. All due respect to Israel Hayom, it remains free." "The newspaper reflects the way I see Israel, today. I thank Israel Hayom for the opportunity they created to let me stay connected to current events in Israel and elsewhere. I thank Israel Hayom for giving me the option to skip newspapers that do not reflect my opinions concerning diplomatic and security issues. I am against this shameless and unscrupulous conspiracy. Put down this wretched proposal," wrote Avi Avital. Yehuda Meital Tzruya wrote, "A law like this would only pass in Iran! Israel Hayom is no good for Noni Mozes [the owner of the Yedioth Ahronoth group], so they're passing a law."
Israelis strongly oppose law targeting Israel Hayom, poll finds
Bill seeks to ban distribution of free newspapers that only fit Israel Hayom's description • Even 80 percent of Israelis who read Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel Hayom's chief competitor, oppose the law, poll finds • Israelis feel law motivated by selfish interests.
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