The cabinet today approved an amendment to the Public Broadcasting Law stipulating that Kan, the Israeli public broadcasting corporation, can begin broadcasting only on April 30, 2017. The planned change in the law, which as of now enables Kan to go on the air on January 1 (subject to approval by the ministers of communications and finance), follows the state's recent response to the High Court of Justice (HCJ).
Two petitions against the government were filed with the HCJ, after the Ministers of Communications and Finance did not approve broadcasting by Kan, even though the corporation's council announced that it was ready to go on the air on January 1. The state's response to the HCJ said that a change in the law was planned postponing Kan's going on the air to a later date, without explaining the change. The cabinet's decision corresponds to this response. A three-judge HCJ panel will hear this response and the two petitions filed in the matter tomorrow.
According to the cabinet's official decision today, the Ministry of Finance budget department estimates the cost of continued operation by the Israel Broadcasting Authority, which is set to be disbanded when the new corporation goes on the air by April 30, at NIS 140 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 25, 2016
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