Muting Israeli Democracy: How Media and Cultural Policy Undermine Free Expression (History of Communication) 1st Edition by Amit M. Schejter (University of Illinois Press)

A fascinating and highly readable contribution to our understanding of the fragile state of Israeli democracy. Schejter shows how painfully complex the very distinction between a democracy and a non-democracy really is.Based on meticulous and comprehensive research, this important work reassesses some of the tenets of traditional Zionist discourse and points critically to the roles that statism. cultural policies, and political economy have played in rendering the prevalent power imbalance in Israeli society.The author displays enviable intellectual courage by sharply indicting Israel's broadcast media policies, despite being himself Jewish and a true believer in the Zionist idea of an independent homeland.This book addresses a critical feature of democracy and illustrates a frightening reality: despite the democratic nature of the State of Israel, Israeli media falls terribly short when dealing with the minority Arab population..Few are as experienced and and expert as [Schejter] is in the everyday realities of the Israeli media from the inside. His familiarity with the media institution from the inside renders the book particularly important and validates its main thesis. . . . The book challenges researchers' knowledge of Israeli democracy and provides an insightful overview of the Israeli broadcasting media..

The result of years of critical analysis of Israeli media law, this book argues that the laws governing Israeli electronic media are structured to limit the boundaries of public discourse. Amit M. Schejter posits the theory of a "mute democracy," one in which the media are designed to provide a platform for some voices to be heard over others. While Israel's institutions may be democratic, and while the effect of these policies may be limited, this book contends that free speech in Israel is institutionally muted to ensure the continued domination of the Jewish majority and its preferred interpretation of what Israel means as a Jewish-democratic state. Analyzing a wide range of legal documents recorded in Israel from 1961 to 2007, Muting Israeli Democracy demonstrates in scrupulous detail how law and policy are used to promote the hegemonic national culture through the constraints and obligations set on electronic media.