World · 13 February 2026
UK billionaire’s TV stake sale sparks press freedom concerns in Israel
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash
Israeli journalists have called on British billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik to abandon plans to offload nearly 15% of commercial broadcaster Channel 13 to telecoms tycoon Patrick Drahi. They argue the proposed sale risks undermining editorial freedom at one of the few outlets openly critical of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Opponents fear Drahi’s financial clout, despite a minority stake, could narrow debate and weaken independent journalism ahead of elections.
Reported by The Guardian · How we write briefs