Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu plans to close the Communications Ministry and create instead an independent authority that will consolidate media services for the country.
Netanyahu has reportedly chosen fellow Likud MK Limor Livnat to head the new entity, according to a report published by the Hebrew-language Calcalist.
The new Media Authority, which is expected to consolidate under one roof all services relating to the Israel Broadcast Authority, as well as any other communications issues and media services, would operate in a manner similar to the Water Authority.
Other candidates for the position besides Livnat are MK Gilad Erdan (Likud) and MK Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beiteinu), according to the report.
Livnat is not unfamiliar with the world of communications, having served as Communications Minister in the previous Netanyahu government (14th Knesset) from 1996 to 1999. It was during her tenure in that position that the number of Israel's cellular phone companies was expanded. Livnat also opened the nation's communication market to competition from international companies.
She served in the 13th Knesset as a member of the Committee for the Second Television Station and Local Radio, as well as a number of other committees, including several relating to the status of women.
In the 15th Knesset Livnat was a member of the Finance Committee before she was tapped to serve as Minister of Education, a position she continued to hold, along with responsibility for Culture and Sport, through part of the 16th Knesset as well.
During the most recent (17th) Knesset she served on the State Control Committee, as well as the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and several others.