On December 31, 2009, Israeli journalist, Dan Margalit co-hosted an interview on the Evening News programme on the Educational Channel with Arab MK Dr. Jamal Zahalka.
The Israeli war on Gaza was talked about and as MK Zahalka was outside the hegemonic consensus on the war, he was verbally attacked by Dan Margalit, delegitimised and effectively ejected from the studio.
I`lam Media Center considers the attack by Margalit a very serious breach of journalistic ethics. Mr Margalit, as a journalist, has an obligation to treat guests with respect and to allow the space for discussion. However, assuming the role of soldier over journalist, Margalit prevented MK Zahalka from expressing his views, from elaborating on them, and from allowing the public to understand his positions on the Gaza war, opposition to which was grounded in the principles and norms of international humanitarian law.
I`lam cautions that such a media practice in delegitimising Arab Members of Knesset is on the increase and hints more to the goal of deliberate misrepresentation that it does to a professional, ethical press interview.
I`lam Media Center stresses that freedom of the press is a cornerstone of the organizations beliefs and that MKs, as with all public leaders, should be held accountable. However, Margalit denied MK Zahalkas fundamental right to maintain a "good name" on the sole basis of MK Zahalka being outside the general Zionist consensus on the war.
I`lam has addressed the Director of the Educational Channel to issue orders to the staff that ethical practice, professionalism and respect for guests are fundamental practices to be undertaken in journalistic work. Ilam also calls on Dan Margalit to officially apologise to MK Zahalka for his unethical conduct.
I`lam is examining the legal implications of the issue further and will decide if to pursue recourse through the Israeli Press Council and the Israeli courts in the event that Margalit may have violated the Law of Defamation (1965) for slander and libel.
To see the video, with English subtitles, click on the link below:
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