EBU director general asks PM to 'safeguard the independence of Kan' in order to remain a member; communications minister: I am 'beholden to Israeli public and not any other body'
Hanan Melcer vows council will 'do everything in its power' to prevent any curbs on media freedoms, after report says Likud looking to shutter public broadcaster's news division
Party says move not part of coalition talks; Netanyahu, other party members have long opposed news division; opposition MK: '1st lesson in school of dictators. silence the media'