Sir, – Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte’s plans for a “universal broadcasting levy” seem unjust and logically confused (Business, July 17th). Once divorced from actual TV consumption, the “levy” ceases to be a user charge and becomes in effect a tax. But it is the most unjust kind of tax imaginable, as it is both unavoidable and imposed regardless of ability to pay. The Canadian model offers a better solution – public service broadcasting there is partially funded by the central government with funds raised predominantly through progressive taxation. To insulate Irish programme-makers from political pressure, these funds could be allocated multi-annually and legally ring-fenced. Such a system might also spark a healthy debate on whether RTÉ should hold a virtual monopoly on public programme subsidies, and on whether what qualifies as a “public good” should include property shows, slimming contests and Ryan Tubridy. – Yours, etc,
TOBIAS THEILER,
School of Politics
and International Relations,
UCD,
Belfield,
Dublin 4.