The French media is trying to digest president Nicolas Sarkozy’s plans to overhaul public broadcasting which could lead to a public service television service inspired by the BBC, the Financial Times reports.

On, Tuesday, Sarkozy proposed banning advertising on France’s public TV stations and financing them through a levy on ad revenues from private stations and a tax on internet and mobile phone operators turnover.

Analysts said the plan was the first move in a broad liberalistion of French broadcasting which may include changes to ownership rules and advertising restrictions.