Decision on funding for Finnish Broadcasting Company to be made next week

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Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén (National Coalition Party) reports that a final decision on the financing model for the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) is to be made next week.
      The new Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company is being prepared on the basis of the proposals made by a working group chaired by MP Mika LIntilä (Centre).
      The working group proposed that in the future YLE should cover the funding of its operations by a media fee that all Finnish households should pay, regardless of whether or not they have a television.
      However, the law-drafting officials are also considering another alternative, according to which the financing of YLE operations would come from the state budget.
     
According to Minister Lindén, various models are being considered at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in order to find a solution to the problem of how to help students and those with limited means to cope with the proposed YLE fee. Some kind of social benefit could come into question.
      Lindén says that the preparation of YLE legislation continues as normal, even though she announced on Wednesday that she would postpone the introduction of the controversial YLE fee until 2012.
      Until now, the goal has been that the new Act on YLE, including the changes to the funding of the company, would enter into effect in 2011.
     
The decision implies that the final decision on the level of funding for YLE is likely to be left to the next government.
      Lindén justifies her decision by saying that in this way there is more time for law-drafting and for securing the smooth operation of the chosen funding model.
      However, Linden notes further that the law package containing the new administration and funding models should be completed during the term of the present government.
      ”If no constructive way to reform the administrative and financial models for YLE can be found, all decisions will have to be transferred to the next government negotiations. I do not regard that alternative as desirable”, Lindén says.
      The minister believes that it eventually it will be possible to find a consensus within Parliament, the government, and the media sector.
     
YLE CEO Mikael Jungner says that it is important to maintain the present level of funding, regardless of when the new Act takes effect. He adds that a 12-month postponement will not affect the operation of YLE.
      Mika Lintilä does not believe either that the postponement of the implementation date would cause any problems, provided that the decisions on the funding and administration of YLE are made during the term of the present government. In fact, the proposed legislation should be brought before Parliament already in the autumn, Lintilä says.
     
According to the Chairman of the Board of the Finnish Newspapers’ Association and the President of Sanoma News Mikael Pentikäinen, the postponement of the effective date is a good idea.
      ”It would give more time to prepare such an important matter”, Pentikäinen notes, saying that the content of the new Act is more important than the date itself.
      Mikael Pentikäinen notes further that the funding for YLE should not be raised from the present level. He also says that the Act on the Finnish Broadcasting Company should determine the duties of YLE more accurately in order that the company could not distort competition in the media sector.
      In Pentikäinen’s view, YLE should have a supervisor that is genuinely independent of the YLE management.
      ”For example an independent Council for Public Services would be a good alternative. The committee should be authorised to guide the operations of YLE whenever it is needed”, Pentikäinen contemplates.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Survey: Finns do not regard proposed YLE media fee as justified (19.8.2009)
  “Media fee” to replace TV licence (24.4.2009)

Links:
  Finnish Newspapers Association

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