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Spanish Congress votes in favour of eliminating advertising on public TV and radio
Date: 10/07/2009
Earlier this year, the Spanish government tabled a proposal to reform the financing of RTVE, the Spanish Public Radio and Television Corporation. This proposal suggests eliminating advertising from Spanish public television and radio, following similar legislation adopted in France. On 7-8 July 2009, the Spanish Congress (Lower House) discussed and adopted this proposal, concluding the first stage of the legislative procedure.
Despite intensive work by the Spanish advertiser association (Associación Española de Anunciantes - AEA) to put across the industry perspective, the Spanish Government and the Congress rejected all amendments calling for a fundamental revision of this proposal. In particular, advertisers questioned the economic viability of the public broadcasting service if advertising revenues were to stop funding it. Several political parties (PNV, BNG, UPyD, ERC-IU-ICV and UPN) tabled a series of amendments supported by the advertising industry, but unsuccessfully. They were rejected with 173 votes against, 13 in favour and 150 abstentions.
The bill is expected to be discussed by the Constitutional Committee on 16 July, after which it will be debated in the Senate, probably towards the end of July. The Government wishes to see the law enter into force by September 2009. Industry efforts to amend the bill, spearheaded by the Spanish advertiser association, are ongoing.
For more information please contact Will Gilroy [email protected]
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