Bring back CNN now

The upcoming U.S. elections are of historic importance. As things look now, they may have far-reaching implications for the United States and its status in the world. There is also no doubt that this change will have a major effect on Israel in many ways. Therefore, it is very important to understand the political and social processes now underway in the United States.

Indeed, many in Israel are striving to follow the internal processes in the United States election campaign. However, due to the cable company's unwillingness to continue paying for the right to broadcast CNN, as well as the indifference of the public which responded passively when CNN was taken off the air, about half of all television viewers in Israel do not have access to the station.

The result is that most of Israel's citizens - those who are interested in information beyond the crumbs served up by the local stations - have no choice but to make do with Fox.

The change that might take place in the United States requires a preparation of hearts. If it happens - and I hope it does - relations between Israel and the United States will move onto new footing. It is inconceivable that at a time like this, a major segment of the Israeli public is learning about U.S. political developments through Fox.

Fox is tainted by its vulgar presentation and lacks a basic respect for facts, and comes dangerously close to expressing the basest prejudices and instincts. Even Republicans, whose ideology Fox promotes, are increasingly objecting to the evangelistic and populist message that the network expresses so prominently.

CNN is far from perfect. It does not come close in quality to either the BBC or the American public broadcasting system PBS, and I do not intend to praise it here. Nevertheless, in comparison to Fox, CNN appears balanced and factual. For Israeli consumers interested in continuous and direct coverage of the U.S. elections, there is no other choice. Therefore for them, the only relevant comparison is between CNN and Fox.

In light of this situation, the fact that Israeli viewers do not have equal access to both networks could negatively impact Israeli democracy, which is nourished so decisively by the American model, and on our crucial relations with the American power.

Those of us who feel - both as citizens and as consumers - that we have been denied basic access to essential information must stand up and do something about it. Flood the phone lines, the mailboxes and the Web site of the Hot cable company, CNN and the Communications Ministry with demands that they reach an agreement that will bring the population at large a serious source of information on the heart and soul of democracy. The regulator, if there is one, should act immediately.

The writer is the director of the School of Education of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.