Overview of the dispute
In a highly publicized clash within Israeli media, veteran journalist Netali Shem-Tov announced on Instagram that she has filed a labor court claim against News 13 and interim chief executive officer Tali Ben Avodiah. The claim centers on allegations of workplace harassment and alleged breaches of her employment contract, just months after she served as the Friday edition anchor and as a key presenter on the channel’s weekend lineup. The post marks a dramatic escalation in a dispute that has dominated newsroom chatter and public debate about editorial independence and management decisions at News 13.
Timeline of key statements and allegations
From the outset, Shem-Tov described a breakdown in professional duties during a period of intensive coverage, including the Iran-related events that dominated regional news. In her own words posted on social media, she asserted that she was removed from the screen in connection with those events and that the sequence of early 2024 events represented a strategic push to push her out. She attributed the changes to broader managerial shifts, including the appointment of an interim CEO by the company’s board, a move she described as controversial among public board members.
In the message, Shem-Tov alleged that an “agenda-driven” approach had been imposed, that contractual commitments were not respected, and that essential resources for her program were curtailed. She argued that these actions effectively pushed her away from the Friday edition—the program she had led—and that this shift was part of a broader pattern of professional marginalization. The post also called on journalists across the channel to share their experiences, signaling a potential wider reckoning within News 13.
Specific allegations and legal framing
Her attorney, attorney Yaniv Ympolski, has described the situation as a sustained effort to erode the anchor’s role, citing incidents of alleged discrimination, public allegations against the journalist, and a toxic work environment created by the interim leadership. The claim, as described publicly, emphasizes the channel’s failure to uphold contractual commitments and to ensure a fair working environment, particularly during a time when newsroom operations were under strain due to ongoing war coverage.
News 13’s response
News 13 issued a formal response to Shem-Tov’s social media post, asserting that the company respects the legal process and has already provided robust responses in court. The broadcaster contended that the long post omits references to prior disputes with former managers and, importantly, to Shem-Tov’s absence from certain war-covering assignments. According to the channel, Shem-Tov’s termination was linked to not appearing on air during a critical war segment, which the network said violated essential contractual obligations while colleagues continued to report under fire. The channel asserted that the accusations presented in the post do not reflect the full context and described the filing as an attempt to shift responsibility away from the performance and attendance record that shaped her role at News 13.
Career context and background
Shem-Tov joined News 13 in July 2023 after a tenure at Channel 12, signing a three-year contract through July 2026. She arrived as the Friday edition anchor and also hosted a Saturday program, becoming a notable voice within the channel’s evolving editorial identity. Her stance during internal governance debates—particularly around the appointment of Yulia Shamolov-Berko vich as CEO—placed her among a small group of journalists who did not sign a staff letter opposing the appointment, a detail cited in industry conversations about newsroom cohesion and dissenting perspectives.
What comes next for News 13 and the industry
As the labor case progresses, observers will be watching not only the legal outcomes but also the broader implications for newsroom culture, contractual clarity, and the handling of major event coverage. The dispute raises questions about how newsroom leaders balance editorial independence with managerial oversight, especially during periods of high-stakes reporting and national security concerns.
Conclusion
In a media landscape increasingly scrutinized for workplace standards, the Netali Shem-Tov vs News 13 dispute underscores ongoing tensions between personnel rights, editorial autonomy, and organizational governance. The coming months will likely bring further statements from both sides as the labor court process unfolds and the industry watches for signals about the future of broadcast journalism in Israel.
