Assembly approves Sarkozy plan for French television

Early in the New Year, advertising will begin to disappear from public television in France, the start of a major shakeup ordered by President Nicolas Ask that critics say will give him virtual control of the airwaves. IHT reports.

The plan to pull ads from the country's four public channels, approved by the National Assembly on Wednesday night, also allows Sarkozy to select the chief of the French public broadcasting company, France Télévisions - alarming critics who say the project sends France back decades to the days when television was the tool of the presidency.

"The ultimate goal is nothing more than to put public television on a leash to prepare for the 2012 presidential elections," said Didier Mathus, a Socialist lawmaker who led a campaign against the legislation.

The plan will be enacted even though the Senate has not yet taken up the measure. It is expected to do so early next year. The plan calls for the gradual removal of all advertising from public broadcasting, beginning on Jan. 5 with prime time and overnight programming. The government will guarantee financing of €450 million, or $640 million, a year over the next three years to replace lost ad revenue.

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emily | 1:04 PM | News |
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