9/1/2015 Haifa. The Mossawa Center has called on Israeli broadcasting organizations, the Cable Council and the Israeli Broadcasting Authority to ensure appropriate and fair representation of Arab citizens in the run up to the Knesset elections scheduled for March 17th. Mossawa's legal department wrote a letter to these organizations stating the serious underrepresentation of Arab citizens and their political representatives in the talk shows and news programs broadcasted on the TV and Radio.

Based on evaluation and research published by the Second Authority for Television and Radio, there is a disturbing picture of underrepresentation of the Arab community in the Israeli media. Arab citizens make up approximately 20% of the population. In the Israeli media, less than 3% of studio personalities, and 2% of personalities in current affairs and political talk show programs are Arab while 99% of broadcast hosts are Jewish.

Mossawa Center Director Jafar Farah stated, "It is the indisputable right of the Arab community to express their opinions and have their voice heard without any barriers or restriction's. It is, therefore, the duty of all broadcasting channels both government and commercial to allow for the authentic and appropriate expression of views from the Arab minority."

The end of the letter from Mossawa demanded that broadcasters comply with their duty by highlighting the voices of Arab citizens. The letter called on them to provide adequate space for the freedom of expression by increasing the number of Arab personalities and commentators in both news and talk show programming in order to bring attention to the unique problems and issues of the Arab population.