French unions battle for PSB too

Broadcasting unions in France are challenging their government over its plans to cut the funding of their public service channels.

Tomorrow (25 November 2008) the French Parliament will debate new legislation proposed by President Sarkozy which is intent on cutting the income of France Televisions, the country’s grouping of public service channels.

Trade unionists will protest at the proposed changes at a rally outside the parliament building.

Unlike the BBC, France Televisions is part-funded by a licence fee and part-funded by advertising income.

If President Sarkozy’s proposals were accepted, advertising income would be cut by 70 per cent from 2009; this cut would represent a decline in France Televisions overall income of 30 per cent.

Today, BECTU’s General Secretary, Gerry Morrissey, met the French Embassy’s Press Counsellor, Jean-Claude Tribolet, to register BECTU’s support for its counterparts in France and to underline the damage that the proposed cuts would do to France’s reputation for quality in its media.

Campaigners see President Sarkozy’s plans as a direct attack on public service broadcasting in response to the business lobby. The proposed bill makes no provision for France Televisions to make up the proposed shortfall in its funding.

Furthermore, the situation will only get worse. President Sarkozy is seeking a total ban on advertising income for France Televisions by 2011; his proposal also seeks an increase in government control over France Televisions through the direct appointment of its senior executives.

Commenting on the situation, BECTU’s Gerry Morrissey said: “The French government’s plans are misguided and threaten irreversible damage to France’s public service broadcasting culture. If the proposed legislation is passed, France Televisions will be reduced to making programmes which no-one else wants to make and their future will be in doubt.

“Staff terms and conditions will also be threatened and will impact on the entire sector.

“We urge the French government to reconsider its position and to reaffirm its commitment to public service broadcasting, to France Televisions staff and to the maintainance of high standards in television production.”

Gerry Morrissey is currently vice-chair of Euro-Mei, the European media workers section of global union UNI.

Euro-Mei works with all its affiliates to maximise support for the interests of media workers across Europe.