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.
A likely victim of reform is France 24, the Paris based news channel, which Sarkozy has indicated may lose its independence and part of its global reach.
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