The payment of broadcasting licences fees by Manx residents to the United Kingdom is under examination by a Tynwald Committee.

The issue is finally in the spotlight following growing dissatisfaction with the service provided from the UK and also takes place against a souring of UK/Manx relations.

The usual fatuous arguments are being deployed by those who favour the status quo.

It has been suggested by some that a failure by the UK to transmit via local TV relays on the Island would lead to a loss of digital services. However, even in the low power transmission period between now and 2012 most of the Island receives adequate and fuller service from off Island transmitters.

Many Island residents also receive free to air broadcasts via the Astra (28.2 E) satellite and these would also be unaffected by any decision to end TV licensing.

In one startling and uninformed intervention prior to the Committee being set up one Tynwald member said that for Island residents to access Freesat would be more costly than the UK licence - a statement so crass as to be unbelievable!

Other red herrings being thrown the committees way include the suggestion that access to BBC iplayer services would be restricted. However European-based UK expatriates have been evading so-called territorial restriction on iplayer since its inception.

The Celtic League has long opposed the levying of UK licences on the Island suggesting that any licence levied should be retained by the Manx government for disbursement for broadcast services including domestic radio.

What ever happens with the Committee's deliberations it seems time is finally being called on the BBC and the Committee must make recommendations which criticise its current shoddy service.

Meanwhile whilst some voices have been raised in outrage at the thought of Manx residents receiving UK TV services without paying no one has suggested that the Irish government should be reimbursed for its TV services (including the new digital service) which spill into the south and west of Mann from transmitters in Co. Dublin and Co Louth.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

08/12/09

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