Opposition MKs Ram Ben-Barak and Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid) sent a letter to MK Boaz Bismuth (Likud) demanding an urgent committee discussion after Channel 14 presenter Shimon Riklin disclosed sensitive security information during a live broadcast concerning an alleged Israeli-American strike in Iran on Monday.
During the segment, Riklin indicated that he possessed information he was not permitted to publish. “It does not matter who hinted it to me. They hear me. I cannot speak,” he said.
Channel 14, which is widely identified with Israel’s right-wing media sphere, has previously faced criticism over alleged violations of military censorship restrictions.
Former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot also criticized the publication, calling it “lawlessness and trafficking in state security.” He demanded a thorough investigation into the source of the information, saying it could have come only from senior government officials.
Channel 12 diplomatic correspondent Yaron Avraham accused Riklin of causing “real damage to national security and handing our enemies intelligence information live.”
The current criticism follows previous claims against Riklin and other Channel 14 presenters regarding alleged censorship violations. The Committee of Three, which handles appeals related to military censorship, ruled about two years ago that Riklin had published prohibited security information and that the publication caused “real security damage.”
Channel 14's conduct regarding Netanyahu
Additionally, it is important to note the gap between Channel 14’s conduct when political considerations appear to serve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its criticism of rival media outlets perceived as critical of Netanyahu.
Channel 12 News reporters have recently come under attack by Channel 14 over various security-related reports. For example, Yaakov Bardugo claimed that Channel 12 News broadcast information on the morning of the strike on Iran and demanded an investigation into the source of the leak.
At the same time, numerous complaints have recently been filed with the police regarding the channel's severe incitement.