(Credit: Israel's Press Council)

A Jerusalem Post editorial questioned the effectiveness of Israel’s press council. As the Jerusalem Post explained, the council was created almost fifty years ago and does include an “ethics tribunal.” However, the Jerusalem Post noted that “the number of cases adjudicated annually is less than 20,” even though Israel’s press ombudsmen reportedly deal with “thousands of complaints each year.”

According to the Jerusalem Post, the council can’t enforce its actions and doesn’t require members to adhere to its standards, much like the U.S. Society of Professional Journalists.

The Jerusalem Post commented that the council’s powers are limited and cited a few recent incidents involving the council:  accusations of bias and censorship against the Israel Broadcasting Authority and claims that a network didn’t have editorial independence. In conclusion, the Post called for stronger and quicker action from the council. Read more here.