Commissioned by Jean Castex in October, the report of the general inspection of finances and that of cultural affairs points to the need to guarantee the independence of public broadcasting.
The reform of the financing of the television license could in the state not cross the obstacle of the Constitutional Council. While the abolition of the contribution to public audiovisual (CAP) must be examined in the National Assembly from next Thursday within the framework of the amending finance bill, a report by the General Inspectorate of Finance and that of cultural affairs warns the executive. The reform must be accompanied byincreased guarantees for the independence of public broadcasting otherwise she runs the risk of being challenged by the Elders.
Independent Technical Commission
Because, recall the authors of the report commissioned last October by former Prime Minister Jean Castex, the principle of independence of public broadcasting is protected by the Constitution, “including in its financial dimension“. However, replacing the CAP dedicated to the financing of France Télévisions, Radio France, Arte, France Médias Monde, TV5Monde and the INA by a mission within the State budget creates uncertainty incompatible with the principle of constitutional protection.
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The report therefore recommends, among other things, tocreate an independent technical commission responsible for estimating the level of resources» adequate to carry out the missions set for the public audiovisual sector. This commission could be associated with Arcom (ex-CSA), the audiovisual and digital regulator, and its opinions could be made binding. The report also suggests a transition period until 2024 to properly prepare these guarantees of independence. Until then, funding could be provided by a portion of existing tax, such as VAT or income tax.
Since the announcement of this campaign promise by Emmanuel Macron, certain politicians in the opposition and public audiovisual professionals have raised their voices to denounce the endangerment of its financing and its independence.
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