Chairman of the Council
School principal, former colonel in the Education and Youth Corps.
The Council of the Second Authority
The Council of the Second Authority for Television and Radio is comprised of 15
members appointed by the government, based on the recommendations of the
minister in charge of implementing the Law of the Second Authority.
The members of the Council are public figures with relevant backgrounds and
experience, knowledge in their diverse fields of expertise and awareness to the
social setting in Israel. The composition of the Council reflects the variety
of opinions and attitudes which prevail in Israel.
The responsibility of the Council, as it is derived from the Law of the Second
Authority, is first and foremost to preserve the public interest in its
broadest sense, and to process it into practical guidelines for the management
of the Second Authority.
In order to meet these responsibilities, the Council established discussion,
approval and monitoring committees. These committees operate in accordance with
the laws, amendments, rules and procedures determined by the legislator and the
Council.
The Council is a statutory body that fulfills its responsibilities in a number
of frameworks: The Council Plenum outlines the general policy of the Second
Authority. Discussions relating to special issues are conducted by
subcommittees of the Council. Issues that are not included in the framework of
subcommittee discussions are transferred to ad-hoc committees, established in
order to resolve the special needs that arise throughout the work process. In
addition, the Council serves as a tender committee for the selection of the
franchisors in television and radio.
Subcommittees
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The Radio Committee – Outlines policy on all issues relating to
the broadcasts of regional radio stations. |
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The Committee for Media Development – Promotes original Israeli
productions within the Second Authority productions. |
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The Legal Committee – The highest legal authority regarding
appeals relating to elimination of broadcasting times, fines and commercials. |
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The Television Committee – Outlines policy on all issues
relating to the broadcasts of Channel 2 and Channel 10. |
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Audit Committee – Deals with issues of internal auditing and
procedures. |
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Finance Committee – Outlines policy on issues related to the
administration and financial performance of the Second Authority. In addition,
it deals with financial issues relating to the franchisors and external
contacts. |
Director General
The current Director General of the Second Authority for Television and Radio
is Motti Sklar, who was appointed to the position in July 2002. He is the
former Chairman of the Council of the Second Authority for Television and
Radio, a position that he held for a period of 3 years. He was among the
founders of the "Ma'aleh" School of Media and Film, and served as the Chairman
of the School Council. He held the position of General Manager, both of the
"Kol Chai" regional radio station the "Mochot" Production Company.
Commissioner of Public Grievances
The Commissioner of Public Grievances of the Second Authority deals with public
grievances and appeals regarding the programming offered by the franchisors of
television and regional radio stations. By law, the commissioner is an
independent body who is not required to report to the various entities of the
Second Authority. Therefore, the commissioner can properly represent the public
with its best interests in mind and in accordance with the best of his
judgment. The commissioner is available to deal with every request, grievance
or even compliment relating to the broadcasts.
Internal Auditor
The Second Authority, as a public body, is subject to the Law of Internal
Auditing – 1992. The law stipulates that every public body will employ an
internal auditor and it defines the skills required of this individual. The
internal auditor is responsible for conducting the audit in accordance with the
following standards: legality and regularity, savings, efficiency,
effectiveness and integrity.
At the beginning of every work year, the internal auditor prepares the annual
auditing plan and submits it for the approval of the Chairman of the Council,
Audit Committee of the Council and Director General of the Second Authority. In
addition to the topics listed in the annual auditing plan, the auditor conducts
audits on ongoing matters, independently or based on the demand of the
supervisors. Furthermore, he monitors the amendment of the shortcomings
discovered in previous audits conducted by him or by the State Auditor.
Council and Committee Activity Coordinator
Converges the functions of the Council and its committees and serves as an
assistant to the Chairman of the Council.
Aide to the Director General
Assists the Director General of the Second Authority and coordinates activities
among the various departments of the Second Authority, and between them and its
Council. Ongoing functions:
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Collecting project materials and coordinating between the
various departments of the Second Authority. |
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Monitoring and supervising the implementation of decisions and
fulfillment of objectives. |
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Assistance to the Director General on issues relating to the
performance of his responsibilities. |
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Coordinating and concentrating the work of the Second Authority
for presentation to the Council. |
Spokesperson
The department of the spokesperson deals with the provision of details to
external entities that require the assistance of the Second Authority and with
publicizing its functions.
Ongoing areas of activity:
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Responding to questions posed by journalists covering the field
of communications. |
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Responding to public requests for information pertaining to
Second Authority functions. |
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Preparation of annual reports. |
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Advertising Second Authority productions. |
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Coordinating Second Authority sponsorship to various events in
the field of media. |
Legal Advisor
The legal bureau provides legal counsel to the Council of the Second Authority
and its committees, to the management of the Second Authority and to various
departments of the Second Authority on all issues relating to the performance
of their responsibilities
This function provides a response for all issues relating to the interpretation
of the Law of the Second Authority for Television and Radio – 1990, the
amendments and rules derived thereof, and any other legislative issues by which
the Second Authority functions. In addition, it provides counseling in the
fields of administrative law and specializes in the issue of tenders. The legal
advisor is a member of the Affiliation Committee, which is responsible for
approving the affiliations of the Second Authority. In addition, the bureau
prepares the legal documents for the tenders of the selection of Second
Authority franchisors, the franchise agreements and contracts submitted by the
Second Authority. In addition, the bureau responds to grievances that consist
of legal aspects.
The legal bureau prepares a legal opinion on issues relating to the activities
of the franchisors and their monitoring as they are reflected in the general
changes to the media map and, specifically, to the items of regulation. It
addresses issues relating to the development of innovative broadcasting formats
and technological progress in the field. The bureau advises the Second
Authority on legal aspects arising from the programs and commercials that are
broadcast on television and radio. This advice is based on the principles of
administrative law and court rulings related to these issues. The legal advisor
is a member of the committee that monitors broadcasting breaches made by
franchisors and determines sanctions accordingly.
The legal bureau takes part in the legislative procedures in the governmental
committees and prepares position papers that relate to proposed bills. In
addition, the legal bureau is responsible for the legal formulation of rules
determined by the Council in its capacity as sub-legislator, and for the
publication of these rules. When the Second Authority is a party to legal
proceedings, the legal bureau is responsible for representing it, supported by
an external legal firm.
Economics, Finance and Administration Department
Responsible for the economic, financial and organizational functioning of the
Second Authority.
Ongoing areas of activity:
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Monitoring the adherence of television and radio franchisors to
the financial terms of the franchise agreement. The activities include, among
other, monitoring the payment of franchise fees and royalties, and the
determination of franchisors' adherence to their obligations to various
investments (such as expenses for the production of television programs). |
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Performing various economic functions in the field of
commercial communications toward the examination of sector and macro-economic
parameters that may effect franchisor activities. Assessing the influence of
advertising in the foreign television channels and approving advertising on
Channel 33. |
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Administrative, financial and economic operations of the Second
Authority, including ongoing monitoring of the budget, investments, payment to
suppliers, payroll and manpower management, purchasing, etc. |
Radio and Technology Department
This department is responsible for the functions of the
Regional
Radio Stations. It deals with the allocation of franchises,
clarification of ongoing or occasional issues pertaining to the operation of
Regional Radio Stations and plans the future of regional radio. The department
prepares position papers of future plans, which are presented to policy makers.
In addition, this department is responsible for supervising and controlling the
activities of the franchisors in the technical-engineering field, and for the
development of infrastructures for the reception and maintenance of television
broadcasts.
Areas of activity relating to radio:
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Dealing with programming list. |
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Regulation and control of station broadcasts, including
response to public grievances. |
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Focused listening to station broadcasts divided by issues of
special public interest. |
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Providing advice to the stations, following their request, and
conducting an annual tour of the stations in order to discuss general issues,
as well as issues that are unique to each station. |
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Dealing with deviations and breaches, and control over
advertisements. |
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Assistance in the provision of shared broadcasts. |
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Conducting listening polls. |
In addition, the department deals with periodic or occasional tasks:
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Activities for the positioning and promotion of Regional Radio
Stations. |
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Accompanying legal proceedings: representation (currently,
mainly against pirate stations) or legislative proceedings (such as:
modification of Second Authority rules, paid election propaganda for local
authorities, dedicated stations). |
The ongoing activities relating to technological aspects:
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Determining engineering demands and standards for franchisors
and supervising their implementation in the engineering field. |
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Planning, development and maintenance of broadcasting and
control infrastructures of the Second Authority. These include: television
transmitters and antennae, transmission and control centers, reception,
switching and transmission systems, maintenance of ground broadcasting
stations, and local television transmission and reception centers. |
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Operation of a transmission and control center for the Second
Authority and connecting it with the franchisor. |
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Managing engineering tenders and associating with suppliers and
contractors for the performance of infrastructural projects. |
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Responsible for the computer information systems of the Second
Authority. |
Television Department
Responsible for the ongoing operations of Channels 2 and 10 and deals with the
allocation of franchises, determination of broadcasting rules and supervision
of programs in general and, especially, commercials.
Ongoing areas of activity:
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Coordination between franchisor programming schedules, and the
examination and approval of changes. Publication of weekly programming
schedules. |
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Preliminary evaluation of health related advertisements and
commercials related to children. Examination of television programs, game show
rules and sponsored programs. |
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Ensuring that the franchisors adhere to all legal requirements
and amendments regarding programs, commercials and language propriety. Levying
fines for the breach of said rules. |
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Participation in the rating committee, which examines the daily
viewing trends, and initiation of public opinion polls. |
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Submitting recommendations to the Council regarding the
formulation of requirements (rules and guidelines). |
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Production of up to 2% of overall broadcasting time of Second
Authority productions on issues and topics that are not reflected in franchisor
programming. |
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Managing funds aimed at supporting original productions. |
Strategy and Research Department
This department leads the thought processes on major issues appearing on the
agenda of Second Authority. This department is responsible for providing the
knowledge infrastructure on which the Second Authority bases its policy
decisions.
Ongoing areas of activity:
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Initiating studies addressing the social and cultural
influences of the broadcasts. |
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Conducting a comparative study with international regulatory
entities, aimed toward the identification of trends and sharing of information. |
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Establishing consultation teams in order to identify the
various aspects of public interest. |
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Initiating public discussions regarding issues appearing on the
communications agenda. |
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Establishing and operating an information center that is open
to the public. |
