The Enemy Within: The Effect of “Private Censorship” on Press Freedom and How to Confront It—An Israeli Perspective

Abstract

As Moshe Negbi explains, sometimes censorship can take strange twists. He relates how the Israeli media in 1985 collectively decided to self-censor a Cabinet decision to release 1,150 terrorists in exchange for the return of 6 Israeli soldiers who had been abducted in Lebanon. The military censor did not object to informing the public, Negbi recalls. In fact, the Army wished the story would come out in the hope a public outcry would compel the Cabinet to reverse itself. A word or two should be said, also, in praise of Israel’s press officers. My own experience largely has been limited to the diplomatic beat. But over a quarter-century of dealing with the Embassy as AP’s State Department correspondent I have been extremely impressed with their honesty and particularly with their not trying to cast events in a favorable light. From Avi Pazner to Ruth Yaron to Gadi Baltiansky and all the others who held the difficult job, there has been a consistent practice of telling the truth even if the truth may be embarrassing. And without the spin many American publicists try to place on a story.