Channel 14 files lawsuit against Yair Golan and the Democrats party

Channel 14 has filed an administrative petition with the Tel Aviv District Court against the Democrats party, led by Yair Golan, seeking a declaration that the party must allow the channel's representatives to cover any party event opened to the media, without discrimination between broadcasting bodies.

The petition follows the party's decision to bar the channel's crew from covering the primary election event held approximately two weeks ago. The channel is asking the court to rule that the party's actions were unlawful and to mandate equal access to similar events in the future.

According to Channel 14, when a party hosts a public event and invites media outlets, it is obligated to act with equality toward all media organizations. The petition further argues:

"Preventing entry harms freedom of the press and the public's right to receive information."

The channel points to a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that upheld a similar petition against the Meretz party, as well as a recent letter from the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Judge Noam Sohlberg, urging parties to ensure equal media access to public-facing events.

Conversely, the Democrats party has maintained that the primary election was an internal, private affair, and therefore it was entitled to control access. The party further argued that the invitation of specific media outlets does not alter the private nature of the event.