Rapid TV News

Audiovisual law project under scrutiny

Pascale Paoli Lebailly ©RapidTVNews | 25-11-2008

Pressure has dramatically risen since Monday as to the pros and cons of France’s audiovisual reform law project. Dedicated to greenlighting the public servce broadcasting ad ban as well as networks’ production obligations reform, discussion by French Deputies on the new laws started yesterday evening. They will vote on December 9.

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Besides the passionate political debate and the expected fight on amendments, a thousand being registered, many observers are already denouncing Sarkozy’s dream to get back to the 60’s ORTF when TV was dependent on political power. Some have compared his stance to that of Berlusconi in Italy.

As expected, day one of the parliamentary debate coincided with a day of strike in the radio and TV public services. Employees walked out despite French Minister of Culture and Communication Christine Albanel’s attempts to convince PSB teams that the financial ad ban impact will be fully compensated in the coming years.

At midday, the mobilization was strong and many programmes disturbed. At France 2, the 1pm news edition was cancelled. The same at France 3, where the national and regional teams were on the war path. Sources reported figures above 90% of people on strike in some offices like in Paris,  Marseille or even Grenoble. In Paris, strikers met at the feet of the Eiffel Tower before walking to the French National Assembly in the end of the afternnoon.

PSB teams also fear a voluntary redundancy programme to be set up as one of France Télévisions president De Carolis’ missions in the coming months will also be to turn the broadcaster’s holdings into one unique company.

© Rapid TV News 2008