Around the world, World Press Freedom Day was marked today (Saturday) – a date intended to remind us of the role of a free press and to express appreciation for journalists. In Israel, despite the challenges, there are quite a few bright spots on the subject. Media outlets and journalists operate freely and have the opportunity to promote transparency and create positive social change – if they so choose.
Is the media free?
In Israel, newspapers, news websites, radio stations, and television channels operate, reflecting a wide range of opinions and streams. In most cases, the media is free to criticize centers of power without fear, which is relatively rare in our region – the Middle East.
A fertile ground for open discourse
Professional surveys by the ‘Israeli Communication Association’ indicate that journalists in Israel feel fairly free to do their work – the vast majority of journalists are satisfied with their profession and want to continue in it. Additionally, a global survey by the Pew Research Center conducted recently found that Israelis believe the media in the country enjoys a proper level of freedom and feel relatively secure in the freedom of expression that exists.
In other words, citizens in the country are not afraid of censorship and believe there is a good foundation for open discussion. This trust forms fertile ground for the continued growth of a free press. The open question remains whether the media wants to be only free – or also a bit responsible.
The public expects to receive a full and diverse picture
Technology, in general, has become a friend of journalism. In the age of social media and online information, every citizen with a smartphone contributes to documenting reality. Journalists use these networks to receive real-time reports from the field, verify rumors, and raise issues to the public agenda even before the official bodies respond.
Additionally, data analysis tools and artificial intelligence help extract important information from screens and discover key insights from large data sets – a task that in the past took a great deal of time. As a result, transparency is increasing: it’s harder to hide facts, and the public expects to receive a full and diverse picture.
To know that good things happen too
In recent years, and especially these days, one point cries out from every corner: there is an expectation to give space also to success stories, groundbreaking projects, and social initiatives that deserve a spotlight. It’s not just nice – it’s essential. The public wants to know that good things are happening here too.
The move that will restore public trust in the free press
The truth is that beyond the frameworks and the rules, in the end, it’s the people – the journalists in the field – who make the difference. World Press Freedom Day is a good opportunity to call on each and every one of them to shine the spotlight also on solutions and positive developments. Not instead of reporting on problems – but in addition to it. When that happens, the public will get used to hearing not only what went wrong but also what improved. Such a shift in the news mix will finally make the free press a responsible press too.
In the long run, this is the move that will restore public trust in the media and bring people closer together – when they know that the news won’t only bring them negative doses.
Changing reality for the better
As mentioned, this is a good opportunity to point out what has already been achieved – and at the same time to remind us of the expectation to hear good news too. A free, positive, and responsible press can contribute to a more cohesive and healthier society – and today more than ever, it’s in our hands: to decide what kind of media we want to consume and to change reality for the better.
