97 years of reporting workers’ news

Today, 97 years ago, Davar, a newspaper for the workers of the Land of Israel, was published for the first time. On its 97th anniversary, we asked editor-in-chief, Gil Plotkin, to share his reflections.

Today (1.6), 97 years ago, the first issue of ” Davar – a newspaper for the workers of Eretz Israel ” was published, a Histadrut newspaper.

The newspaper’s founder and first editor was Berl Katzenelson, one of the labor movement leaders in pre-state Israel and one of the founders of the Histadrut. Moshe Sharett, who was Katzenelson’s deputy, later served as the first Foreign Minister of the State of Israel and as the second Prime Minister. Zalman Shazar, the paper’s second editor-in-chief, later served as the third president of the State of Israel.

Many writers and poets wrote in the literary supplement of “Davar,” including Natan Alterman, Leah Goldberg, and Uri Zvi Greenberg.

In 1996, after 71 years of activity, the newspaper “Davar” was closed, and in 2016 it was re-launched as a news website, and today it is called: “Davar HaOvedim in Eretz Israel,” or “The word of the workers in the land of Israel.”

On the occasion of its anniversary, we asked editor-in-chief Gil Plotkin, a number of questions.

What sets the news site Davar apart from other media outlets?

‘We have no hidden agendas. What the site reads is who we are. Our values ​​are evident, and out of them, we conduct our regular coverage, investigative reports, and magazine articles. We will always be on the side of the working person, strengthening organized work, the weaker sections of society, investing in the periphery, and reducing gaps in Israeli society. “

What is the outstanding achievement of “Davar”?

“Everyone knows that ‘Davar,’ as a news site, is mainly about the significant issues to Israelis, such as work, the economy, society, health, education, housing, transportation, etc. The outstanding achievement is that we manage to reach a public of one and a half million readers a month and 300,000 subscribers to the app and the daily edition with these issues. We are one of the ten largest news sites in Israel precisely because we do not compromise on the quality of the content. “

What was the news that most interested the readers of Davar in 2022?

“The most read news on the site is directly related to our target audience, which consists of workers in the public sector, the private sector, and readers interested in socio-economic issues. Articles about the package deal in the economy, the Histadrut elections, and workers’ struggles were very popular and reached hundreds of thousands of readers. Articles about Corona, especially those exclusive to Davar, are also on top articles. But the most read article right now is the ‘Avocado Israel magazine article. Pride.’ Definitely a pride. ‘

What do you think the press will look like in the future?

“The establishment of ‘Davar’ in the Israeli media map, in front of wealthy and very connected actors, shows that people are looking for reliable and valuable media. The Ministry of Finance and elected officials – who do not always agree with our worldview – read Davar because they know that it is a moderate, reliable media that seeks the study of truth.

“If the press does not return to the historical role of credible reports aimed at exposing reality to citizens so that they can make wise decisions about their future, it will disappear, and digital platforms will replace it. As mass-market commercial platforms, networks are more successful than news sites, but what is the value of the information? Who is responsible for it? The media must build trust with readers, and as foreign interests trickle in, it is impossible to do so.

‘Davar’ is a media outlet held by 800,000 unionized workers, so it must, wants, and can cover an economic reality that others cannot. In the future, more independent media belonging to communities will likely appear. “

What do you like most about “Davar”?

‘The team. Those that make ‘Davar’ what it is – the writers and editors. The people of Davar’s editorial staff today, as they did 97 years ago with the newspaper’s publication, are working out of a social mission, a desire to change the society in which we live so that it is more egalitarian and just. It’s the heart of Davar, and it’s what makes us a news site with a soul. ‘