We all knows that lies have no legs to stand upon, but in the case of the Israeli media, this proverb does not apply. The Israeli media has evil hands that employ manipulative and malicious tactics to stir up controversy among Israelis, and the hell with facts. As far as the media outlets are concerned, what is important is that the lies are featured prominently so that every Israeli is misled. Channel 10 reporter Raviv Drucker has floated a trial balloon full of hot air. But it has been deflating at record pace. Bottlegate seems to have fizzled, but Drucker is still juiced up, hoping to use every last drop to recycle this old news story. I am banging my head against the wall, trying to think what else needs to happen before Israeli journalists realize journalistic integrity is part of their job description. Celebrity media stars have tried to use their talent to oust the right, with the ends justifying the means, all but ignoring the fact that their efforts are dismissed by Israelis outright. As far as those media personas are concerned, the state's well-being should take a backseat to their political agenda. For them, the overarching goal is to be able to brag about how they had unseated the prime minister. Those journalists got one thing wrong, big time. Older left-leaning voters who have historically parked their support with Labor have been reluctant to embrace the Zionist Camp and its leaders, MK Isaac Herzog and MK Tzipi Livni. It is clear that Bottlegate has dried up. But Haaretz, which used be "The Thinking Person's Paper," can't let go of those bottles, hoping it could recycle some stories. One of them is about a former superintendent at that Prime Minister's Residence who has much to gain from a successful suit against his former employer. He has been portrayed by Haaretz as Lady Justice, even the Oracle of Delphi. As far as Haaretz is concerned, there is no need to let his civil trial play itself out or wait for the cross examination. Just like there was no need to wait for the official report of the State Comptroller's Office on Netanyahu's overseas travels some 10 years ago. A draft version would do just fine. Several party leaders have pledged to take on the banks and bring down the cost of living and provide free housing. They think they have some kind of magic wand. But every levelheaded Israeli knows that these are just empty promises that will stay on paper. Making promises is as easy as pie. Delivering on your promises is something else altogether. Those who are already resigned to the idea of sitting in the opposition can make promises left and right. They couldn't care less because no one is going to hold the head of the opposition accountable for anything. But Israel is not a Rubik's Cube or a board game. It is a major undertaking that requires experience, talent and the necessary qualifications. MK Amir Peretz (Hatnuah), being the astute politician that he is, has begun preparing for the post-election era, telling everyone that he considers himself a viable contender for prime minister. The way things look right now, Herzog will continue to serve as a Labor MK and Livni will move to any party that accepts her among its ranks (in keeping with her tradition of switching parties). When the next elections are declared, another duo will represent the Left: Amir and Shelly (former Labor chief MK Shelly Yachimovich.) Herzog et al must realize, once and for all, that having the Obama administration rooting for you only hurts your candidacy. If you are more popular in Ramallah than in Jerusalem, you have zero chance of winning. It is better being a small fish underwater than the carcass of a beached whale on the sand. Let's hope that in the remaining weeks of this campaign, the Left's media mouthpieces will apply the relevant scrutiny on their own camp without cutting it any slack. Let's hope they will not be intimidated. Let's hope they forgo favoritism. If the media wants to restore its tarnished image, it must prove that it is not a proxy of the Zionist Camp. It must show that its main goal is to serve the public and report reliable and fact-checked news to an informed public that knows how to read between the lines.
A biased media
מערכת ישראל היום
מערכת "ישראל היום“ מפיקה ומעדכנת תכנים חדשותיים, מבזקים ופרשנויות לאורך כל שעות היממה. התוכן נערך בקפדנות, נבדק עובדתית ומוגש לציבור מתוך האמונה שהקוראים ראויים לעיתונות טובה יותר - אמינה, אובייקטיבית ועניינית.
