A crowd of demonstrators rallied outside Tate Modern in London yesterday (21 July), protesting against the arts philanthropist Len Blavatnik. The activist group known as WeDemocracy says it is “calling on Blavatnik to stop the attack on the free press”, following staff and programming changes at Channel 13, an Israeli broadcaster owned by the Ukraine-born billionaire.
In a film posted on the group’s Instagram feed, the activists chant, “Blavatnik, don’t mess with freedom of the press!” outside the Blavatnik building at Tate Modern. The building opened in 2016 after the businessman gave £50m towards the new space.
Some of the demonstrators, who wear masks showing Blavatnik’s face, are seen pulling a woman’s arms with strings. An accompanying caption reads: “Blavatnik, stop it. The press is not your puppet.” WeDemocracy describes itself as an Israeli-British democracy protest movement.
Blavatnik is the main shareholder in Channel 13 (Reshet Media) via his business, Access Industries. The channel’s decision to appoint the former politician Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich as its chief executive last month sparked controversy, according to The Guardian. Her arrival was reportedly followed by the cancellation of a popular investigative news programme, which often focused on a series of controversies involving the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Channel 13 was contacted for comment.
Blavatnik was also contacted for comment, but had not responded at the time of writing. A spokesperson for Access Industries told The Guardian: “Sir Leonard Blavatnik believes in the importance of press freedom in Israel and across the world. He has invested a significant amount of money in Israel’s Channel 13 to safeguard its existence and secure the future of free, impartial journalism. The channel has never had a political agenda—as is the law in Israel—and he has never had editorial input.
“It is categorically not the case that Sir Leonard appointed the CEO of News. The decision as to who runs Channel 13 News is a matter for its independent board on which Sir Leonard has no role. Freedom of expression and informed debate are core values of the channel, and this will always remain the case.”
Blavatnik has sponsored a plethora of art projects and institutions in the UK, including the Courtauld Gallery in London (£10m; Blavatnik Fine Rooms). The National Portrait Gallery in London also recently accepted a £10m gift towards its Inspiring People project from the foundation established by Blavatnik.
In the Sunday Times Rich List published earlier this year, the highest-ranking art world individual was Blavatnik at number two, with an estimated fortune of £29.246bn derived from investment, music and media. Blavatnik’s wealth has continued to increase in recent years; in 2023 he was worth £28.625bn and was at number three on the Sunday Times’ list. Crucially he made his fortune in the aluminium and oil business in the 1990s.