Re: LF: OT End of the BBC World Service on Shortwave

[Chris Trayner <C.Trayner@leeds.ac.uk>]

On 31 Jan 2011, at 10:20, M0FMT wrote:
However the BBC world service, the Government mouth-piece, is currently funded 
by direct taxation which is probable more equitable than the new plan which is 
to fund it out of the compulsory so called Licence Fee, collected under threat 
of imprisonment, which is really a tax on a tax i.e. paid out of taxed income.

This is the dark side of English culture.

Commercial radio and TV are arguably as bad or worse. They are paid for by 
advertising; the firms which advertise get their advert money from selling 
products. So if you buy products which are advertised you are presumably 
subsidising many commercial channels which you don't watch, many indeed outside 
your area. You can choose not to have a TV and licence, but you can't 
realistically chose not to buy these products.

But, really, do any of us care? The BBC Licence Fee is probably less than 1% of 
your post-tax income.

73,
Chris G4OKW