After the National Assembly, the Senate voted last night to abolish the audiovisual license fee, as part of the measures to support purchasing power. This tax paid by part of French households makes it possible to finance more than 85% of public media such as RFI.
It was a campaign promise from Emmanuel Macron, it is now done. After the National Assembly ten days ago, the Senate adopted the elimination of the audiovisual license fee by 196 votes against 147 last night. The debates were fed at the Palais du Luxembourg, in particular because the measure raises concerns about the future financing of French public broadcasting. But the result was expected since this measure garnered support from the right and the extreme right.
On the left and in the center, on the contrary, senators criticize the government for weakening public broadcasting and calling into question its independence. To replace this fee, the government plans to devote part of the VAT to the financing of public media, for an amount of approximately 3.7 billion euros. A temporary solution, taken in haste, denounce senators from all sides. So LR had an amendment adopted which sanctuaries this alternative solution until December 31, 2024. The Minister of Public Accounts Gabriel Attal relied on the ” wisdom of the Senate on this point.
Amounting to 138 euros in mainland France and 88 euros overseas this year, the fee brought in 3.2 billion euros out of the 3.8 billion paid to public broadcasting. What will happen after December 31, 2024? How will public media be funded? It is uncertainty. And public broadcasting could also see its operation upset. This is what the right wants in particular, which is calling for an in-depth reform.
But this measure could also attract the attention of the Constitutional Council. It could possibly oppose its implementation if it considers it contrary to the principle of independence of the media.
►Also read: France: the National Assembly votes to abolish the audiovisual license fee