Life Is Unfair: Laptop And Phone Users Might Soon Need A TV Licence
You only need a TV licence if you use a TV right? Actually, that could be about to change. According to new government plans, your laptop, tablet and PC could soon be considered as a TV. Bastards. Here's what you need to know about the proposed TV licence changes.
According to the Independent, Communications Minister Denis Naughten wants to change the definition of what a TV is 'cause ye know, RTÉ is running out of money.
1 in 10 Irish households doesn't use a TV, instead opting for internet content via their laptop or tablet. But who really cares about what a ~television~ is anymore? We're all guilty af in the government's eyes, and now we need to pay up.
Sources say proposals are asking for the €160 annual charge to be applied to electronic devices with screen sizes above 11 inches i.e. tablets, laptops and desktop computers.
The other alternative suggested by RTÉ's director general Dee Forbes to double the TV licence was shot down by basically everyone.
Right now, the Broadcasting Act 2009 says a 'television set' is "any electronic apparatus capable of receiving and exhibiting television broadcasting services broadcast for general reception", but "non-portable television sets capable of exhibiting television broadcasting services distributed by means of the publicly available internet" are exempt from paying the TV licence.
Mr Naughten wants the non-portable bit to be removed.
In other countries like Australia, a fee for the national broadcaster is included in everyone's yearly tax return meaning no follow-ups or inspectors knocking on your door.
Could this be a better alternative?
We really hope we don't have to fork out the fee...