Member of Knesset Sharren Haskel (Likud) has submitted a bill aimed at opening the television market to free competition in accordance with the recommendations of the 2006 Pilber Report. The bill will ease the heavy regulation that currently applies to channels designated to specific target audiences and will allow them greater freedom in advertising and in the variety of content that is broadcast there. Thus, these channels will be better able to fulfill their role and give voice to different groups and sectors in the public and survive in a competitive market.
Referring to the designated stations, MK Haskel explained, "In light of the changes and changes that are taking place in the global media map in general and in Israel in particular, the existing regulatory regulation is too strict and the restriction to specific content that was defined in advance does not allow for fair competition and makes it difficult for them to act. It is therefore proposed to allow the designated channels to increase the scope of advertising and to apply criteria similar to the regular commercial channels, and to limit the ability of the Cable and Satellite Council to impose sanctions on them.