Yeah, I can imagine. See for me how the TV is done in the US, or what I know of how it's done, is very weird. It's all privately owned and so stunningly bias it hurts my brain.
I guess it must seem weird at first - probably is - but it's just kinda normal when you grow up with it.
I'd still be offended by the fact that you need permission from the government to watch television. I've had enough of American governments devising schemes that benefit themselves and companies while taking away money and revenues from regular people
Slight thing but: You don't need government permission to watch, you need to contribute to the BBC if you own a TV capable of recieving BBC services.
I don't think its for the benefit of the government or any company.
The BBC has a reputation for being unbias, reliable, it's free of political influence and corporate sponsorship. It has a national charter that it has to stick to and provide programs of all different types that no privately owned company would touch.
Massive earners like Doctor Who don't line the pockets of politicians or board members, it gets channeled directly to fund stuff that makes losses - Open University instruction courses, gaelic language programs, and until very recently - sheepdog trial coverage!
If this thing existed in Puerto Rico...a huge amount of the population would end up becoming "criminals" just because they couldn't pay up.
True, and I get what you're saying here but like you say there's a big cultural and economic difference there.
The TV License is calibrated to avoid that kind of situation - if you're working it's no problem, even if you're on the dole it's possible to pay for it. If you're elderly or disabled you get reductions or even get it free.
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Date: 2009-01-29 04:41 pm (UTC)I guess it must seem weird at first - probably is - but it's just kinda normal when you grow up with it.
I'd still be offended by the fact that you need permission from the government to watch television. I've had enough of American governments devising schemes that benefit themselves and companies while taking away money and revenues from regular people
Slight thing but: You don't need government permission to watch, you need to contribute to the BBC if you own a TV capable of recieving BBC services.
I don't think its for the benefit of the government or any company.
The BBC has a reputation for being unbias, reliable, it's free of political influence and corporate sponsorship. It has a national charter that it has to stick to and provide programs of all different types that no privately owned company would touch.
Massive earners like Doctor Who don't line the pockets of politicians or board members, it gets channeled directly to fund stuff that makes losses - Open University instruction courses, gaelic language programs, and until very recently - sheepdog trial coverage!
If this thing existed in Puerto Rico...a huge amount of the population would end up becoming "criminals" just because they couldn't pay up.
True, and I get what you're saying here but like you say there's a big cultural and economic difference there.
The TV License is calibrated to avoid that kind of situation - if you're working it's no problem, even if you're on the dole it's possible to pay for it. If you're elderly or disabled you get reductions or even get it free.