Linden backs down on YLE fee

Opposition by SDP blocks advance of administrative reform at public broadcaster

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Minister of Communications Suvi Lindén (Nat. Coalition Party) said on Thursday afternoon that the controversial media fee for financing the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) will be put to a decision by the next government. Lindén’s retreat on the matter came as a complete surprise. It was preceded by a confused political process.
      The decision to suspend the changes was made in the ministerial group of the National Coalition Party after Eero Heinäluoma, the chairman of the Parliamentary group of the opposition Social Democratic Party, had told Lindén that the SDP would not support the view of the government in the matter.
     
Lindén also pointed out that the proposed annual fee of EUR 190-195 per household would be unfair for earners of low incomes, and the ministers say that as such, it would not be “ethical” of the ministers to bring a proposal on such a fee before Parliament.
      Currently, the bulk of YLE activities are financed by an annual television fee paid by households that have a television set. Lindén has spoken in favour of the introduction of the media fee, most recently in a radio interview on Wednesday.
     
The Social Democrats were involved in Parliamentary preparations for the new YLE legislation, but after that, the government parties had added a proposal for a new supervisory body for public service, which would have comprised experts from outside the company.
      One task of the new body would have been to defend the interests of the commercial media, and to supervise competition in the media.
      This was not suitable for the SDP.
      “In politics it is customary to negotiate about these things”, Heinäluoma said, adding that the SDP is willing to proceed in the drafting of YLE legislation next week if the Parliamentary groups are convened under the original plan.
      Heinäluoma emphasised that YLE is under the control of Parliament, not the government. Lindén now says that a massive change would require extensive Parliamentary support, which is why she feels that she cannot proceed with the matter.
     
The proposed media fee has sparked a good deal of opposition, as it would apply to all households, regardless of whether or not they have a television.
      A working group at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has been considering ways by which the fee could be compensated for those on low incomes, but Lindén says that it has not come up with any good ideas yet.
      Minister of Social Affairs and Health Liisa Hyssälä (Centre) questioned Lindén’s claim that no compensation models would be available. Hyssälä notes that the working group’s mandate does not expire until the end of March. “It has already produced an interim report, and on the basis of calculations in that report, several different compensation models have been considered”, Hyssälä says.
      Options include changes to income supplements, increases in basic deductions, and linking the size of the fee with the level of household income.
     
The proposal for a new YLE law was prepared in a Parliamentary working group headed by Centre Party MP Mika Lintilä.
      Lintilä is surprised at Lindén’s decision.
      “Probably the first time in Finnish political history that the government does not come up with a bill after a unanimous proposal by a Parliamentary working group”, Lintilä noted.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Proposed cost-cutting measures would decrease supply of YLE programmes (11.9.2009)
  Decision on funding for Finnish Broadcasting Company to be made next week (20.8.2009)
  Survey: Finns do not regard proposed YLE media fee as justified (19.8.2009)
  “Media fee” to replace TV licence (24.4.2009)

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