Tapes: Netanyahu Negotiated for Positive Media Coverage

In secret tapes that came to light Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently negotiated for positive news coverage with the publisher of Israel’s largest newspaper in a move that would damage its closest competitor, which is owned by U.S. billionaire and Netanyahu ally Sheldon Adelson. Netanyahu reportedly put forth an agreement to Yedioth Ahronoth’s publisher, Arnon Mozes, that would weaken the Adelson-owned Israel Hayom and, in turn, give him more favorable coverage from Mozes’s paper. Israel’s Channel 2 reported that the exchanges were recorded at Netanyahu’s request. Sunday’s revelations come as Netanyahu is under investigation for corruption charges.