2013-11-23

Following Minister of Communications Gilad Erdan’s decision to form a special search committee to find a new director of the Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting, I’lam Media Center sent Erdan a letter asking him to ensure that the Arab community is adequately represented by having an Arab on the committee.

In the letter, I’lam said the committee will have 5 members, 3 of whom will represent the public in various fields: one for the media and the press, another for the economy, and a third for Israeli academia. I’lam hopes that one of these members will be Arab.

 I’lam reasoned that an Arab should help determine the council’s policies since Arabs comprise a large portion of its viewership, and explained that its request is based on Article 18 of the Government Companies Law of 1975 and the Civil Service Law (Appointments) of 1959. Furthermore, a number of rulings by the Israeli courts oblige government agencies to provide sufficient Arab representation when appointing candidates to government positions.