ABSTRACT
Israeli society has adopted principles of Western democracy. The democratic ethos accentuated differences between the Western, democratic, modern State of Israel and its non-democratic Arab neighbors. The founding of the new state and the espousal of democratic principles demanded immediate introduction of governing and social institutions and the formulation of the relevant rules of the game. It became essential to define the status of the existing media institution, as well as its reciprocal relations with other institutions, especially the political one. A neutral mediator is an asset, possibly a rare asset. Those who accumulate power find it difficult to maintain neutrality and complete impartiality. The dual status of the mass media, Insiders/Outsiders, sparks predictable tension in every democratic society, especially a society information such as Israel's. The media aspire towards a virtually unattainable status entailing recognition as an institution with the same rights as other inside institutions, but exemption from regulation and control by them.
