In a democracy, the media are the central stage upon which the public discourse is conducted. The expectation of the media is that it be objective, neutral, open, and reliable. Furthermore, it should allow political and cultural minority groups to make their voices heard, so that they too are able to influence public opinion.
Photo: The Association for Civil Rights in Israel
In a democracy, the media are the central stage upon which the public discourse is conducted. The expectation of the media is that it be objective, neutral, open, and reliable. Furthermore, it should allow political and cultural minority groups to make their voices heard, so that they too are able to influence public opinion. The existence of such a public discourse, which requires a commitment to pluralism of thought and of culture, is one of the foundations of democracy. Are the media in Israel fulfilling their role in facilitating a true pluralistic dialogue and in realizing this fundamental democratic value?
This chapter of The Project for Democracy will present studies and public opinion polls which will attempt to measure the extent to which the mainstream Israeli media present minority voices. It will examine how the broader public perceives the role of the media and how the media are standing up to the mission with which they are charged.
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