French Firms Plan to Fight New TV Tax

President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal to ban advertising from state-owned television channels is touching off a battle with France's biggest media and telecommunications companies.

"... Private TV companies slammed the new tax, saying it would essentially force them to subsidize their state-backed competitors. Telecom companies complain that they are being unfairly singled out to shoulder the extra cost for ad-free public TV.

The companies said they now plan to lobby French and European Union politicians against Mr. Sarkozy's plan, which needs to be drafted into law and presented to Parliament."

emily | 8:00 AM | News, Buzz |
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