Sarkozy outlines public broadcasting plans

The French president Nicolas Sarkozy has laid out new plans to finance the public broadcasting service. From January 1, 2009, the public channels will not be allowed to show commercials after 20.00 each day. On December 1, 2011, all advertising will be banned from the public broadcasters. The measure will result in a loss of about €450 million.

In order to finance the loss of income, the government intends to tax telecom operators and internet service providers with a special tax of 0.9% on their turnover – more than the 0.5% proposed by the Jean-François Copé commission. Commercial broadcasters will also have to pay an additional tax of 3% of their turnover.

The new levies are expected to meet with much resistance from the parties involved. In another controversial decision, the president will appoint the head of the public television organisation France Television. The appointment has to be ratified by Parliament. Until now, the CSA appointed the president of the broadcaster.