Background
In July 2023, Israeli journalist Natali Shem-Tov joined News 13, signing a three‑year contract through July 2026. She arrived at the channel during the tenure of chief executive Avraham Elad and quickly became a familiar face on the Friday edition and the Saturday program “The Base.” Her arrival came amid broader leadership and editorial tensions within the network, including disputes over the appointment of a new CEO and the channel’s direction during a period of intense war coverage.
The Allegations: Harassment, Breach of Contract, and Editorial Pressure
Recently, Shem-Tov posted on Instagram that she had turned to the Labor Court to demand News 13 investigate alleged harassment and to address what she described as violations of her contract. She asserted that the leadership had pressured editorial lines, blocked certain programs, and marginalized her role as a senior anchor. In her statement, she claimed that events around the Iran war coverage intensified a pattern of coercive agendas, contractual breaches, and attempts to push her out of the picture.
In her account, Shem-Tov singled out the appointment of Tal Ben Ovady as interim CEO, describing the move as part of a broader pattern of conduct she characterized as unacceptable in today’s corporate culture. She expressed hope that other journalists would come forward with their experiences, while recognizing that only they could decide the timing and manner of sharing their stories publicly.
The veteran anchor also framed the dispute as a larger struggle against what she called “dinosaurs” in the newsroom—describing resistance to change and to new leadership as a remnant that hadn’t kept pace with evolving norms in modern media.
Responses from News 13
News 13 responded to Shem-Tov’s public post by acknowledging the existence of a legal process but disputing her version of events. The network stressed that it had acted in accordance with its obligations and contract terms, noting that Shem-Tov was let go for absence during a broadcast—an act they described as a basic breach of reporting duties and contractual commitments, especially when colleagues continued to present under fire during Iran coverage.
The channel’s statement also highlighted that the broader discussion about leadership and editorial direction involved multiple parties, including prior management and the board. News 13 argued that the posted allegations did not address the channel’s positions or the specifics of her recent absence from the screen.
Context: Leadership Changes and Internal Tensions
The dispute sits within a wider context of leadership shifts at News 13. The appointment of Yulia Shamolov-Barkovitz as CEO faced staff resistance, ultimately leading to the interim appointment of Ben Ovady. Shem-Tov’s critics have noted her absence from certain editorial decisions and the channel’s scheduling moves during critical war-time reporting, including a shift of her Friday edition content to a 3 p.m. slot during the Iran crisis. This backdrop helps explain why the public dispute has touched on broader questions of governance, editorial independence, and accountability in Israeli media.
What Comes Next
As both sides prepare for the ongoing legal proceedings, observers are watching how this case could influence newsroom culture and the handling of contractual obligations, editorial control, and professional disagreements in a high-pressure media environment. The episode also underscores the challenges journalists face when navigating leadership changes, strategic direction, and the pressures of live war coverage.
Past Developments
Media outlets have noted that Shem-Tov had previously raised concerns about workplace environment and contract adherence, with a June report in Globes noting a pre-litigation warning from counsel before pursuing action in court. The appeals to public opinion via social media add another layer to a complex labor dispute that is as much about contract law as it is about newsroom culture, editorial autonomy, and the evolving standards of accountability in contemporary Israeli media.
As this story continues to unfold, industry watchers will likely examine how such disputes shape the relationship between presenters, management, and the legal frameworks that govern broadcasting careers.
