France expands its financial support for newspapers
President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that the agreement between the French government, newspapers and La Poste is going to be delayed by one year.
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France announced that the implementation of the agreement between the French government, newspapers and La Poste, signed in July 2008, is going to be delayed by one year.
This agreement provides for a gradual increase of newspapers postage rates over the 2009-2015 period. The cost of the one-year postponement, or about Eur 12 million, is going to be covered by the French State”.
Mr. Sarkozy promised a variety of financial aid for the country’s newspapers, including tax breaks for delivery services. In an effort to help newspapers through the recession, Mr. Sarkozy said the government would double the amount of advertising it did in print and online newspapers.
“It is the state’s primary responsibility to respond to an emergency,” he said, “and there is an emergency caused by the impact of the collapse of advertising revenue.”
The French government’s support, which totals about 280 million euros, or $362 million, a year, would be increased by about 200 million euros a year for three years under Mr. Sarkozy’s plan.
The proposal included one unusual measure aimed at attracting young people to newspapers: giving 18-year-olds free subscriptions to the printed publication of their choice. The program would to be financed jointly by the government and publishers.
