The public has had it with Yedioth's brainwashing

The surreal anti-Israel Hayom bill has Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Noni Mozes written all over it. The bill's co-sponsors are spineless MKs who take their marching orders from him. That he went to such great lengths to draft this piece of legislation attests to the panic that has spread in the hallways of the paper that used to run the state.

Having depleted the creative minds in its immediate surroundings, having seen its short-lived freebie fail miserably, the domineering Mozes resorted to his usual modus operandi, which involves brute force and easily available resources. Rather than putting up a fair fight, he chose to crush his opponent and kill competition. Ironically, this aggressive move, which is designed to weaken the fledgling Israel Hayom and undo its meteoric rise, has actually had the exact opposite effect.

As one of the beat reporters in this beloved and widely read paper, I get to cover a whole host of issues. I have recently had the chance to speak with various officials, as well as ordinary Israelis of all stripes, about the merits of this bill. Of one thing I am certain: An overwhelming majority of the public is strongly opposed to this shameful piece of legislation, whose provisions include crazy stipulations that have been born in sin. Moreover, my work has taught me that a large segment of the public identifies with Israel Hayom's editorial line, which puts a premium on three values: reporting the truth, upholding the rule of law, and patriotism. These three basic, yet essential, themes are nowhere to be found in Yedioth Ahronoth. That paper has systematically sided with disgraced politicians, who know that it will continue to glorify them and downplay their turpitude well after they had been convicted and jailed.

Thank God most Israelis are proud of their country and its many accomplishments. The public wants to read upbeat news every morning, news that are colored in Zionist hues. Israeli society, which needed a balanced and honest paper, has had it with the systematic brainwashing carried out by Mozes and his people. In Mozes' imaginary world, where self-flagellation is the norm, a declining Israel faces socio-economic upheaval and a national security calamity on a day-to-day basis.

In practice, the disgraceful bill has only strengthened Israel Hayom. In his last throes, Mozes has tried to reassume the role of an unchallenged despot and have absolute powers in his lost kingdom. By doing so, he disclosed his ulterior motive.

Mr. Mozes, allow me to inform you that Israel Hayom is a success story. Its stellar success has had some of Yedioth's journalists overcome their fear and ask me to see whether they would be welcome here if they decided to jump ship. By doing so, they would leave behind all the intrigues and agenda-dominated coverage of your limping paper in favor of the great new media promise called Israel Hayom.

I would not be surprised if one day journalists decide to leave en masse and bid farewell to your sinking, futureless ship. The anti-Israel Hayom bill you and others have drafted, along with the other pointless steps you have taken, will only bolster Israel Hayom and cement its loyal and ever-growing readership.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו