The Haredi Media Mafia

How did all this happen without anyone in the system, which is full of young, inquisitive people, blowing the cover? And why didn't any of these people, who allegedly knew what was going on, say anything? Moreover, what leads esteemed journalists with the highest code of ethics to keep silent when the boss decides to turn the system where they operate into a Godfather-style protection dumpster?

Godfather, the Hadrei Haredim version
The Hadrei Haredim affair led to a sad conclusion: You can take the haredim out of the sector's press prison, but you can't free them of the defective norms that have become part of their journalistic DNA
Tali Farkash • Ynet   

In my line of work, I've learned that getting disappointed by people you trust is a matter of routine. And still, after the ugly explosion of the Hadrei Haredim extortion affair, I couldn't help but feel deep sadness. The case, as complex and extensive as may be – is nothing more than a representation of an oh-so-familiar pattern.
 
Haredi newspapers and radio stations tend to turn a blind eye or refrain from publishing negative stories relating to high profile figures in the sector. Fat advertising budgets, arranged positions and personal or business interests prosper in these places, often on the expense of less important principles such as, for example, "the public's right to know."

Just another haredi tabloid

The Hadrei Haredim portal pretended to be above all this. In 2007 – after a decade of operating as a live and kicking forum that floated above the murky, secretive swamp that is also known as the "haredi press" – the news site was established, claiming to put an end to this gossip industry.
 
Businessmen and public figures who have lied and cheated their way around the sector for years became hysterical: At last there was a platform that would make them pay the price. Finally, a platform that would deal with important issues that were intentionally swept under the carpet and present them to the haredi sector and the world for what they really are: Pathetic, hypocritical and sanctimonious. Let them judge for themselves.

As it turns out, this platform was nothing but a cheap British tabloid in its haredi version. A platform contingent on "pay and you'll be protected – don't pay and you can bid farewell to your public life as you know it."
 
Many of these "poor" victims of extortion had allegedly (at least according to the publications) hidden some serious skeletons in their closets. They also boasted their respectful façades, which concealed a morally and religiously problematic lifestyle, to put it very mildly.
 
The problem began when the last sanctuary that was entrusted with protecting the haredi public and exposing its true face latently betrayed its mission – and all this for mere financial gain.
 
The boss as a modern feudal lord

Still, there are many unanswered questions: How did all this happen without anyone in the system, which is full of young, inquisitive people, blowing the cover? And why didn't any of these people, who allegedly knew what was going on, say anything? Moreover, what leads esteemed journalists with the highest code of ethics to keep silent when the boss decides to turn the system where they operate into a Godfather-style protection dumpster?
 
No need to guess. The answer is clear: This is the professional norm on which they were raised. The boss is like a modern feudal lord and they are his vassals.
 
So Hadrei Haredim, as it seems, was unable to free itself from the tribal behavior patterns of the haredi sector after all. Unfortunately for those who were extorted, they belonged to the opposite camp, and therefore were regarded as fair game. The "protection money" and "exemptions" made it all criminal.
 
The writing, as painful as it may be, has long been written on the wall: You can take the haredim out of the sector's press prison, but you (still) can't free them of the defective norms that have become part of their journalistic DNA.
 
Meanwhile, behind the innocent reader's back, dubious alliances continue to form and bribes continue to exchange hands – all so that those who are supposed to answer for their acts can continue to enjoy life undisturbed.

The founders of the website didn’t invent the wheel; they only imported the familiar and well-known slime from print to online format. And if one is to judge by publications, they did it with utmost success.

Comments

[rebitzman]

In spite of their constant railing against technology, the haredim (especially Chabad Lubavich) understand the power of, and are absolute masters of digital media. For every "negative" post or site like thios that attempts to show the "other side" of the ubber religious, there are dozens of sites run by the religious utra right that are well manned and well funded by ideologues whose only goals are to promote those they serve and to destroy anyone else.

[Reb Mendel]

Everyone needs a code of ethics and this is ours: Torah.

[Barry]

If you choose to be uneducated in a world who economy is based on education you are at a disadvantage when it comes to making a living.

It seems that unlike the Taliban, the Hareidim see cultivating heroin as below them and prefer blackmail as a source of income.

[hassid]

I think ALL media are always going to be irredeemably filled with schmutz and rechilus. Of course, sharmayah is the WORST offender. But it doesn't mean the liberal NYTimes or CNN are any less guilty of covering up the truth, albeit with fancier verbiage and a veneer of journalistic integrity. Hadrei Haredim is just one more schmutz rag. Thats why I read a book with no lashon harah-- the Torah!

[issey]

The people who own the web site are NOT HAREIDIM.

[rebitzman]

The people who own the web site are NOT HAREIDIM.

The people who were arrested are.

[issey]

Please look @ the above picture two of the three ARRESTED WERE NOT HAREIDEM.

[Jake]

The author,Tali Farkash is frum

[Jake]

Two of the three suspects in the picture of defendants are not frum.

[jancsibacsi]

Jake-Frum or not frum they were all in it toghether and the frum should of know it better or is it the almighty buck or shekel.

[issey]

THE HEADLINE SHOULD READ 'MEDIA MAFIA'.

[Shmarya]

Please look @ the above picture two of the three ARRESTED WERE NOT HAREIDEM.

Posted by: issey | April 12, 2012 at 01:07 PM

Please.

3 of the 5 arrested so far are haredim.

[emanuel]

@ hassid, why you say Shmarya is the worse offender and yet you still post in it?

Personally, I have had some issues with this website, but I can't deny it serves the purpose of exposing the dark side of the Charedi world to the general and not so general public.

At least Shmarya is not collecting protection money from anyone, otherwise he would not have to ask for donations and operate on a shoe string budget.

[Yoel Mechanic]

Everyone needs a code of ethics and this is ours: Torah.

Posted by: Reb Mendel | April 12, 2012 at 08:49 AM
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Now this comment, unlike all the other ones I've read (including under the other sock-puppeteer W4M) is in a style that you really would hear in the frum world. There is no way to think this comment fabricated.

[Sol]

Chraidem ? Blackmailing? It all sounds too familiar....