On the Brink of Collapse - The Israel Free Media Index

In recent years, Israel has undergone a process of democratic backsliding that has harmed democratic institutions in general and press freedom in particular—yet there has been a lack of robust data to demonstrate this. Standard democracy indices address the media only tangentially, and those that do consider it typically rely on surveys or expert assessments and focus on narrow facets such as violence against journalists. 

This report offers a new, empirically grounded, data-driven measurement framework for understanding the relationship between press freedom and democratic backsliding in Israel. It maps ownership structures in the media market and presents innovative indicators of media dominance that combine audience exposure, media platforms, and the extent of control held by ownership groups. In addition, the report reviews legislative initiatives aimed at curbing freedom of the press and expression; measures the extent of violence against journalists by citizens and by law-enforcement agencies; and describes the growing use of libel suits as a tool of deterrence and silencing. Through network, polarization, and toxicity analyses, it also exposes the camp-based alignment of journalists and politicians on the X platform.   

The findings depict a troubling picture of a media ecology under multi-systemic pressures, pointing to a cumulative erosion of the conditions essential for a healthy democracy. The report is intended for policymakers, researchers, journalists, and citizens seeking to understand the mechanisms shaping Israel’s public sphere.