Re: Computer tax set to replace TV licence fee ( Legal?)


"Amanda Angelika" <manic_mandy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:qSWpg.23368$OT.22367@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In news:4gqnj9F1odri0U1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
tim (back at home) <tim_back_home2006@xxxxxxxxxxx> typed:
"Amanda Angelika" <manic_mandy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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Computer tax set to replace TV licence fee
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1508650,00.html

My question is would a taxation on computers and/or Internet access
contravene article 10 of the European convention on Human rights?

If it does, then the Germans are contravining this right already.

I guess it would depend how it's implemented. AFAIK the Germans have
always
licensed radio as well as TV so you wouldn't actually have anyone that
could
claim not to require some form of licence. So I dare say it was fairly
easy
to bring computers under the same system without specifically targeting
computer users.

In the UK OTOH you don't at present need a licence for a radio or
specifically for a PC if you don't own a TV set. Making it a requirement
that you own a TV licence for a computer or for Internet access, if you
didn't actually own a TV set. when a PC is not a primarily used to watch
TV
if at all in any case, would seem somewhat ridiculous IMHO, and since
computers are primarily a means of interactive communication and
expression
obviously a tax specifically targeting computers, would in effect be a tax
on freedom of expression.

It seems to me therefore the only way it could be implemented would be in
situations where people had both a TV and a computer. Besides one wonders
whether it would be entirely enforceable under different circumstances.

You are right to question whether it is enforcable, but then
the German TV license allready (unofficially) works on an
honesty system.

tim



--
Amanda






.

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