French press: Sarkozy announces structural reforms and millions in aid
President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to give the French press a helping hand. Millions in taxes and a structural reform are intended to make it permanently profitable.
President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to give the French press a helping hand. Millions in taxes and a structural reform are intended to make it permanently profitable.
The press was already in crisis before the crisis, said Sarkozy on Friday. Its economic conditions had now collapsed in 2009. "The first condition for the independence of the press is to earn money," continued the French President. The state must take care of the industry with its 100,000 employees in the same way as the crisis-ridden car industry. As a result of several months of debate among media representatives, Sarkozy proposed a three-year programme for the modernization of the press. As the "first building site"
he cited the Internet and the corresponding technological adaptation.
In addition to private investment and the creation of a statute for the internet press, public investment is necessary. Online titles should be exempt from business tax. He will also campaign in Brussels for a reduction in VAT. Sarkozy named patronage as a further lever: funds should be able to invest in press and online titles at reduced tax rates, as well as in cultural works.
Sarkozy described the modernization of distribution as the "second priority construction site". The state will increase its support for newspaper delivery from eight to 70 million euros and, as far as possible, provide assistance with taxes and levies, subsidies for modernization and the creation of new sales outlets.
The press was already in crisis before the crisis, said Sarkozy on Friday. Its economic conditions had now collapsed in 2009. "The first condition for the independence of the press is to earn money," continued the French President. The state must take care of the industry with its 100,000 employees in the same way as the crisis-ridden car industry. As a result of several months of debate among media representatives, Sarkozy proposed a three-year programme for the modernization of the press. As the "first building site"
he cited the Internet and the corresponding technological adaptation.
In addition to private investment and the creation of a statute for the internet press, public investment is necessary. Online titles should be exempt from business tax. He will also campaign in Brussels for a reduction in VAT. Sarkozy named patronage as a further lever: funds should be able to invest in press and online titles at reduced tax rates, as well as in cultural works.
Sarkozy described the modernization of distribution as the "second priority construction site". The state will increase its support for newspaper delivery from eight to 70 million euros and, as far as possible, provide assistance with taxes and levies, subsidies for modernization and the creation of new sales outlets.
