France's Socialist government to tax computer screens

PARIS (Reuters) - The French government is considering extending the television license fee to include computer screen owners to boost revenues for public-sector broadcasting operations, the culture minister said on Saturday.

President Francois Hollande's Socialist government already aims to raise an extra 7.5 billion euros this year through tax rises included in an amended budget bill to be unveiled next week.

"Is it necessary to extend the fee to (computer) screens when you do not have a television? It is a question we're asking ourselves, but obviously it would be a fee per household and you would not have to pay an (additional) fee if you have a computer and a television," Aurelie Filippetti said on RTL radio.

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