Dutch Gov. Wants To Tax Online Media To Fund Print

[wraggster]

Outrage ensued among Dutch techie and media websites, after a government report advised that the dwindling print media industry should be financially supported by the online industry (Google translation; Dutch original here). The idea is to help the old media fund 'innovative initiatives.' The suggested implementation of the plan is by taxing a percentage of each ISP subscription, and give the money to the papers. The report, which was solicited by the Dutch parliament and written by a committee of its members, specifically states that 'news and the gathering of news stories is not free, and the public must be made aware of that.' The report is not conclusive, but from here it's just one step toward a legislative proposal. Both industries are largely privately owned in The Netherlands, and the current government is center-left wing. Who needs an RIAA if you can build one into your government? And hey, why invest in the future if you can invest in the past?

http://news.slashdot.org/story/09/06/23/1925228/Dutch-Gov-Wants-To-Tax-Online-Media-To-Fund-Print

if this happens in holland u can bet the arseholes in UK to the same to us, tax tax tax

[VampDude]

The report, which was solicited by the Dutch parliament and written by a committee of its members, specifically states that 'news and the gathering of news stories is not free, and the public must be made aware of that.

The internet isn't free, it's paid for by those who are paying their providers (they have all the money). Also, it is down to the individuals who make such news publicly available (some of which isn't available online for days). The happenings of the world should be open sourced, which the Danes wont get far on this as people will complain and petition.