The following text appeared in Arutz 7 News Service, 7th Tishri 5758 - 8th October 1997. As a public service, we bring to your attention its content.

Mk PORAT: MEDIA MUST REPORT NEWS, NOT GIVE OPINIONS

MK Chanan Porat (NRP) has written a letter to Voice of Israel director Amnon Nadav, asking him to take disciplinary action against military affairs reporter Carmela Menasheh.

Porat writes that during a report on the Mish'al affair this past Sunday, she presented her own opinions within the framework of a supposedly factual report. He quoted the following sentences from her report:

"We are talking about one of the [biggest] operational fiascoes and a decision-making process that led to unnecessary and embarrassing complications... There is no explanation for the amateurish and haughty behavior that were manifest in this operation... It is inconceivable that such a failure, with all of its implications, could pass without responsibility being taken, and without the Prime Minister and the head of the Mossad suffering the consequences."

Porat said that a report such as hers should not be presented on public radio as a news report, but rather as an opinion, with equal time being given to opposing viewpoints. "News reporters must keep their private opinions to themselves, and not use the microphone, which belongs to the public at large, to advance their own political agenda," wrote Porat. He pointed out that Menasheh has already been officially rebuked for similar behavior in the past.

Israel's Media Watch is a non-partisan advocacy group concerned with the ethical and professional standards of the media in Israel.