Topics related to Israeli print, broadcast, or online media are the focus of websites listed in this category. Appropriate topics may include Israeli newspapers or magazines, radio or television stations, online news media outlets, and any other forms of news or media from or about the State of Israel.
Although the Israeli media transmits its content in more than ten languages, only those with an English-language translation are appropriate for this directory, as it is a directory of English-language sites. Most Israeli media publishes or broadcasts in Hebrew, which is the common language of Israel, although an Arabic media caters to Israel's Arab-speaking citizenry. Targeting primarily an international audience, several Israeli media sites are published in English, or at least have an English-language option.
Censorship of the media does not occur often in Israel, although there are contingencies for it. When the Israeli government determines that a specific story or articles may threaten public safety, it may choose censorship. In such cases, a newspaper has the option to appeal the decision to a committee of three, which is chaired by a member of the public, and includes a representative from the press and one from the Israeli army. Censorship is not intended to be arbitrary or undertaken with political motivations. The committee has often overruled the censor.
In the years immediately following independence, during the Yom Kippur War, and through the 1970s, the Israeli government regularly censored the news, and controlled most of the Israeli news media outlets. However, in 1986, the government allowed for private and commercial media to compete with the state-operated outlets, and today the government has a large degree of respect for freedom of the press. Hate speech, that praising or encouraging violence, and issues of national security are prohibited, however. There have been allegations that Israeli authorities place more restrictions on Palestinian journalists, though.
A permit is required in order to publish a newspaper in Israel, and applicants may be refused if they are under the age of twenty-five, have a criminal record, or have insufficient education.
Several privately owned dailies, weeklies, and periodicals are published in Israel, and independent and state-operated radio and television stations broadcast in several languages, but primarily in Hebrew. Interestingly, the Israeli government did not permit color television transmissions until 1977, going so far as to order Israeli television stations to erase the color from color-taped broadcasts obtained internationally, and did not allow Israeli stations to film their own productions in color until 1981.
Broadband Internet access reaches more than 95% of the Israeli population, so online-only media outlets can reach the majority of the people in Israel. Internet-based news media focused on Israel are appropriate for this category, as well as Israeli newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and television stations.
Recommended Resources
Also known as Israel National News, or Channel 7, Arutz Sheva is a media outlet in Israel affiliated with religious Zionism, which offers Internet-based news in English, Hebrew, and Russian, offer live streaming radio and podcasts, and a weekly newspaper. News and news briefs, opinion columns, food items, and Judaism are common topics, a hotel guide, and an online shopping area are included.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/
Beginning as a 12-page newsletter, today ESRA Magazine is a 108-page bi-monthly publication marketed to the Jewish diaspora in Australia, England, New Zealand, Southern Africa, the United States, and elsewhere, offering an impression of life in Israel, with stories of Israeli community, information about schools, religion, sports, the arts, and literature, as well as interviews with people in Israel, travel information, and other features.
http://www.esra-magazine.com/
Founded in 1918, Haaretz is published in Hebrew and English, and is known for its left-wing stance on domestic and foreign issues. Covering news and information within Israel, other parts of the Middle East, the United States and other countries, the publication features much of its content online, although full access requires a subscription. Its subscription, cancellation, and management policies, and other features are included.
https://www.haaretz.com/
Published in Hebrew, the free daily newspaper has been in publication since 2007, although its English-language publication began in 2011, offering a selection of its Hebrew content, translated into English, with a focus on opinion and news analysis. Its Hebrew-language publication may be viewed in PDF format, including an archive. Its history, publication standards, contacts, and advertising opportunities are posted.
http://www.israelhayom.com/
Operated as a non-profit organization, Israel21C is an English-language online news magazine featuring articles, photographs, videos, and blogs from a collection of Israeli journalists. Arranged under sections such as culture, environment, health, social action, technology, and travel, the site is published weekly. Its board of directors, contributing authors, and policies are put forth.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Offering Israeli, the Middle East and world news, reports on military and political events, high-tech and finance stories, lifestyle and culture features, and a tourism guide, the online news site also offers articles on Israeli culture and history, such as the Jews during the Ottoman Empire, a section on learning Hebrew, and a children's section. Other features include news analysis and opinion, photographs, and video.
http://www.jerusalemonline.com/
Tin-TV is an international private television network that features programming from the top television networks in Israel, and broadcasts into the United States and Canada, Europe, and Africa. A program schedule is published to the site, although access to its program content requires a subscription. Information about the network, its offerings, subscription terms, and other details are included.
http://tin.tv/
The official online home of Israel's daily English-language broadsheet newspaper. This website provides a massive archives of news stories and also contains articles on Iranian threat and on the Jewish world. The website also features commentary on important international affairs and also provides entries on business, real estate, arts and culture. The website also dedicates a section for local Jerusalem news.
http://www.jpost.com/
The Israeli-based online news portal covers news from Israel, the Middle East, and the Jewish diaspora, and is offered in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, and Persian editions. Besides its news and event coverage, the site includes a blog section that features blogs from several authors. Business and economic features are discussed, and a smartphone app is available for downloading. Advertising opportunities are available.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/
The English-language version of Ynet, a news and information website in Israel, the site has been online since 2005 as a program of the Yedioth Media Group, the publisher of Yedioth Ahronoth, a daily newspaper. The site offers Israel, Middle East, and World news, news analysis and opinion columns, along with culture articles, an Israeli travel guide, and information about health and science, business, technical topics, and art.
http://www.ynetnews.com/
