I was reading an interesting article online about the Israeli newspaper industry. Lately, the predominance of the free newspaper, Israel Today, run by American, Sheldon Adelson, is threatening the livelihood of the regions oldest newspapers. Adelson has close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the American Republican party, particularly know for his support of Mitt Romney. Adelson's paper is handed out all over the area, and the new low advertising prices have allowed the paper to dominate 40% the market. This shift is beginning to, and has the potential to, change the political atmosphere of Israel's press. This free newspaper's close ties with the Prime Minister's office are apparent. Israel Today's lead columnist receives not only his salary through the paper, but also an addition salary from the prime minister's office. Even one of Netanyhu's advisers left his job with the minister to aid in the paper's launch. Conveniently, the upcoming election has been pushed up, and Israel Today has Netanyhu far in the lead. If this paper pushes all others out of business, it will be easy for the political office to control the print media in Israel and impossible for citizens to get a unbiased newspaper.
This story is something I haven't seen before: one does not normally see news stories about corruption in Western-friendly countries like Israel. It is unfortunate to think that a biased news source,favoring the leader of a nation, could run other newspapers out of business. This would surely affect elections in dramatic favor of the Prime Minister, as there would be no other newspapers to reveal information about the Prime Minister that could damage his image. It is important that media of different biases be available in a nation, so that more than one opinion is viewed. Hopefully, the other newspapers will stay in business, which would promote equality in the press.
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