French National Assembly passes Sarkozy's television reform
The French National Assembly has approved the planned reform of public broadcasting. According to the draft law, there will be no more advertising on state television after 8 p.m. from January 5.
The French National Assembly has approved the planned reform of public broadcasting. According to the draft law, there will be no more advertising on state television after 8 p.m. from January 5.
The loss of advertising revenue is to be offset by new taxes for private broadcasters and internet providers, among others. In addition, the head of the public broadcasters is to be appointed personally by the president in future. The opposition criticized the text as a step backwards to the time when the content of news broadcasts was approved by the government.
The planned abolition of television advertising had triggered fierce protests. Among other things, the government wants to raise the standard of state television. Critics pointed out that the private broadcasters would be the winners of the reform, as they could expect significantly more advertising revenue. President Nicolas Sarkozy is close friends with the head of the largest private broadcaster TF1, Martin Bouygues. For the President, the parliament's decision is a major domestic political victory.
The government had urged Patrick de Carolis, head of the state television station France Télévisions, to announce the abolition of advertising on his own. Against this backdrop, the discussion of the bill in the second chamber of parliament, the Senate, is considered a mere formality. Advertising is to be completely abolished from the end of 2011.
The loss of advertising revenue is to be offset by new taxes for private broadcasters and internet providers, among others. In addition, the head of the public broadcasters is to be appointed personally by the president in future. The opposition criticized the text as a step backwards to the time when the content of news broadcasts was approved by the government.
The planned abolition of television advertising had triggered fierce protests. Among other things, the government wants to raise the standard of state television. Critics pointed out that the private broadcasters would be the winners of the reform, as they could expect significantly more advertising revenue. President Nicolas Sarkozy is close friends with the head of the largest private broadcaster TF1, Martin Bouygues. For the President, the parliament's decision is a major domestic political victory.
The government had urged Patrick de Carolis, head of the state television station France Télévisions, to announce the abolition of advertising on his own. Against this backdrop, the discussion of the bill in the second chamber of parliament, the Senate, is considered a mere formality. Advertising is to be completely abolished from the end of 2011.
