2014-03-07

 At a meeting in Jerusalem between I’lam staff members and the legal team of the Second Broadcasting Authority, the latter decided to consider canceling Article 3 of the Second Authority’s regulations, which prohibits radio stations from broadcasting on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).

This decision was made following I’lam’s multiple letters to the Second Authority regarding a request by Radio A-Shams that it be exempt from this regulation, since the holiday is a religious one and only relates to the Jewish community. I’lam explained that it doesn’t make sense to impose Jewish holidays on the Arab community, and that the rule creates a climate of fear around religion.

On the other hand, the Second Authority’s legal team refused to cancel the regulation that prohibits broadcasting entertainment programs and “happy” music on Yom Hazikaron (the Day of Remembrance). The Second Authority reasoned that unlike Yom Kippur, Yom Hazikaron is a “national” and not a religious holiday, and that all general institutions in Israel should respect it.

During the meeting, I’lam and the Second Authority’s legal team also discussed the issue of adequate Arab representation, and especially of Arab journalists, in the authority’s various bodies.

The legal team said that efforts are already underway to merge the Second Authority with the Council for Cable TV and Satellite Broadcasting, and that during this time they cannot advertise job openings, but that once this process is complete, the Second Authority will announce new opportunities favoring Arabs.

The legal team and I’lam agreed that they will arrange a meeting between I’lam and the media agencies that answer to the Second Authority (for example, Channels 2 and 10), during which they will form a plan to collaborate on improving these media agencies’ coverage of Arabs, in addition to increasing professional opportunities for Arabs to participate in programming.