Sarkozy Proposes Real Cultural Devolution
President Nicolas Sarkozy is proposing a complete ban on public TV commercials in France. To make up for revenue lost, the country will tax the internet and mobile phones.
The IHT calls the move "virtually without precedent." The move is positioned as a means to protect old streams of income.
With that in mind, it's easy to look at the 'net and mobile as the bad guys. But to penalize growing industries for their effect on old technology?
Please be more backward.
Anywho, the Sarkozy government may draft a bill of the proposal, which has to move through both houses of Parliament. If it passes, expect big changes in France by January 1, '09 at the earliest. (Sarkozy is hoping to make it happen before Q4 of '08, but it doesn't look likely.)
Stuff's changing fast over there. Didn't the smoking ban just formalize?
Comments
French people will definately find a way to blame this on americans, somehow.
French people still think they are the superpower they once were. In 20-30 years they will be irrelevent and their only industries will be tourism & fashion.
French people this and French people that. If the American economy continues "developing" at its present rate, I'm sure these comment's tune will change to the beat of La Marseillaise...