Symbolism, Poison Fruit And Public Broadcasting

Michael Hedges February 15, 2010 - Follow on Twitter

Eager for large red headlines, politicians regularly woo voters with plans for public sector reform. Tales of extravagance also make headlines, particularly of the rich, the powerful and television-blessed. Public broadcasting becomes a target of convenience.

After Nicolas Sarkozy’s election as French president in 2007, one of his hallmark pursuits was overhauling public broadcasting. Public television channels, independent of each other, would be reorganized into a single public company. Furthermore, financing public broadcasting would change. Advertising would be phased out, revenue mostly replaced by a tax on private sector broadcasters and internet service providers (ISPs). The result, he said, would be financial efficiency and better television. The world did not stand still.

The French Conseil d’Etat passed a resolution (February 11) intended to annul the law halting advertising on French public television. French Senators, mostly from the left side of the political spectrum, objected on procedural grounds, “to protect the rights of parliamentarians from the executive.”

The resolution cancels “the letter from the Minister of Culture and Communication of December 15, 2008, addressed to the CEO of France Télévisions, on the abolition of advertising in the evening, beginning January 5, 2009 on television channels of France Télévisions group and the measures taken to stop marketing advertising space between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am on France 2, France 3, France 4 and France 5 from that date.” It also cancels “the decision of the board of directors of France Télévisions December 16, 208 by which (it) takes note of the Ministerial letter adopting the guidelines for the elimination of advertising between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am from January 5, 2009 (with) the CEO (of France Télévisions) responsible for implementation.” 

The Conseil d’Etat resolution is, according to observers, largely symbolic. Senators wanted to send a message to President Sarkozy about constitutional issues. UMP – center-right Union pour un Mouvement Populaire - spokesperson Frédéric Lefebvre described the Conseil d’Etat resolution “inconsequential,” reported AFP (February 13).

The reorganization of French public broadcasting under President Sarkozy has sent critics scrambling for adjectives. In addition to removing ads from the financing package, consolidating French public broadcasting with the French president nominating its leaders amounts to, they say,  “berlusconization,” passing favors to political and personal allies, among them Martin Bouygues, principle shareholder of commercial channel TF1. There’s been little evidence of direct benefit to TF1 since prime-time advertising began disappearing from French public TV. Ad spending in France continues to migrate to the Web.

Less symbolic or inconsequential is the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against France for anti-trust violations in imposing a tax on one sector, internet service providers, to support another, in this case public broadcasting. “If Brussels reverses the telecoms tax,” said France Télévisions director and UMP deputy Christian Kert to France 2 (February 12), “we lose €350 million for the financing of France Télévisions. The French will not increase the license fee.” The Spanish government has copied, mostly, President Sarkozy’s ideas for public broadcasting finance reform and, probably, will hear from the European Commission.

“We must keep advertising for two reasons,” said Kert. “First of all, viewers are not unhappy with this formula. Secondly, it was found that there had been no transfer of advertising in the evening between France Televisions and the private channels: maintaining advertising will not only affect private channels.” Kert also said the “advertising solution is better than looking for another tax, which we know will fail.”

Eyebrows were raised again when French public TV announced (February 5) is would be selling 70% of internal ad sales-house France Télévisions Publicité to Publicis and Financière Lov. Publicis, based in Paris, is one of advertisings big three. Financière Lov is former Endemol head Stéphane Courbit’s entertainment investment vehicle. Alain Minc, who advised President Sarkozy to end advertising on French public TV, is a minority shareholder in Financière Lov.

Reforming public broadcasting is, among a politician’s other pressing problems, low hanging fruit, easier pickings than health-care, pensions or education. From France to Spain and Poland to Hungary changing something – occasionally everything – about public broadcasting is a guaranteed headline maker, newspaper publishers and private sector broadcasters eager to report.

Reform is often another word – symbolic, yes – for shrinkage. Lithuanian and Czech public broadcasters, in recent weeks, have started cutting back on channels and programs. Other public broadcasters have given up sports broadcasting rights. Those leading the public broadcasting sector are, typically, favorable to reform though unwilling to undergo waterboarding to get there.

Europe’s biggest public broadcaster – the BBC – will be significantly shrunk if, as is likely, the right-wing Conservative Party takes command of the UK government this spring. Party leaders and spokespeople have described with great relish their metaphysical delight in reforming the BBC too the scale of a town public library.  Now that politicians live and die by Twitter their love for public broadcasting, subservient or otherwise, has diminished.

But, as the tale of France reforms shows, hands grabbing low hanging fruit often find snakes.

See also in ftm Knowledge...

Media Laws – New and Revised

Policy makers and politicians are writing and rewiting media laws and rules at a breakneck pace. As broadcasters and publishers grapple with changes brought about by digital development, new business models and financial distress, the new media is feeling rules tightening around it. From licensing and public broadcasting to privacy, piracy and copyright this ftm Knowledge file Media Laws – New and Revised summarizes new laws and revised laws from a media perspective. 135 pages PDF (December 2010)

Order here

Public Broadcasting - Arguments, Battles and Changes

Public broadcasters have - mostly - thrown off the musty stain of State broadcasting. And audiences for public channels are growing. But arguments and battles with politicians, publishers and commercial broadcasters threatens more changes. The ftm Knowledge file examines all sides. 64 pages PDF (January 2010)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order

Media in France

French audiences are moving fast to every new platform. Mobile and Web media challenges the old guard while rule makers seek new directions. Media life in France... and a few secrets. includes updated Resources 103 pages PDF (November 2009)

ftm Members order here

Available at no charge to ftm Members, others from €49
Order