http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2006/07/060719_fmm_.shtml
Protest against new levy on TV
Foreign films and teledramas cost more due to new levy
The new levy imposed on foreign Film and Television productions makes it almost impossible for the broadcasters to provide international material to their viewers say the Free Media Movement.
In a statement isuued on Wednesday, the organisation say "The levy was imposed without any dialogue or consultation with media community."
This levy is imposed under the Financial Act No.01, 2006 and came to effect from July 15th 2006.
As a consequence, TV stations have to pay Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 90,0000 per half an hour of foreign films or dramas. A levy of one million rupees is also imposed as a consequence of the Act on any foreign commercials shown on local TV.
According to the Act, educational, children's or award winning films etc, will be exempt from the tax.
Free Media Movement [FMM] says, "the reason given by the government for the imposition of this levy is to ostensibly encourage and protect the local film and tele-drama industry. Even if this was the reason, the government should have initiated a dialogue with relevant broadcasters and ascertained whether alternative methods that safeguarded the public's right of choice could have been developed."
Cultural Police
According to the FMM statement, the levy is denying public access to choice.
"The FMM strongly feels that the implementation of this levy will pave the way for a cultural police to view and rate all foreign films and tele-dramas, tantamount to indirect censorship."
The FMM chalenges the government justification of introducing the new levy.
"If the government is genuine in uplifting local art and culture through TV it should first make State media, now under its political control, independent, politically, financially, and culturally – transforming them into public service media able to strengthen the local media industry and culture." says the FMM.
Accusing the government of discrimination, The FMM say some of the media institutions would be under the threat of closure as a result of the new legislation.
"Furthermore, two English language channels are faced with the possibility of closing down because of this tax." explains the FMM.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2006/07/060719_fmm_.shtml
Protest against new levy on TV
Foreign films and teledramas cost more due to new levy
The new levy imposed on foreign Film and Television productions makes it almost impossible for the broadcasters to provide international material to their viewers say the Free Media Movement.
In a statement isuued on Wednesday, the organisation say "The levy was imposed without any dialogue or consultation with media community."
This levy is imposed under the Financial Act No.01, 2006 and came to effect from July 15th 2006.
As a consequence, TV stations have to pay Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 90,0000 per half an hour of foreign films or dramas. A levy of one million rupees is also imposed as a consequence of the Act on any foreign commercials shown on local TV.
According to the Act, educational, children's or award winning films etc, will be exempt from the tax.
Free Media Movement [FMM] says, "the reason given by the government for the imposition of this levy is to ostensibly encourage and protect the local film and tele-drama industry. Even if this was the reason, the government should have initiated a dialogue with relevant broadcasters and ascertained whether alternative methods that safeguarded the public's right of choice could have been developed."
Cultural Police
According to the FMM statement, the levy is denying public access to choice.
"The FMM strongly feels that the implementation of this levy will pave the way for a cultural police to view and rate all foreign films and tele-dramas, tantamount to indirect censorship."
The FMM chalenges the government justification of introducing the new levy.
"If the government is genuine in uplifting local art and culture through TV it should first make State media, now under its political control, independent, politically, financially, and culturally – transforming them into public service media able to strengthen the local media industry and culture." says the FMM.
Accusing the government of discrimination, The FMM say some of the media institutions would be under the threat of closure as a result of the new legislation.
"Furthermore, two English language channels are faced with the possibility of closing down because of this tax." explains the FMM.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2006/07/060719_fmm_.shtml
