Privatize the Atlasian National Broadcaster Act (Debating)

[Blair]

Naturally we have broadcasters like this because they provide a national service-it's vital that we have news agencies that aren't just swayed by trashy drama or ratings wars. We need a quality, public service broadcaster-however I believe that can still go hand in hand with selling it to another company. I'd want certain safeguards put in place before any sell however

[Blair]

Naturally we have broadcasters like this because they provide a national service-it's vital that we have news agencies that aren't just swayed by trashy drama or ratings wars. We need a quality, public service broadcaster-however I believe that can still go hand in hand with selling it to another company. I'd want certain safeguards put in place before any sell however

     Indeed, we should have an auction (as Ted Bessell put it) and reserve the right to deny sale to entities that we believe would advance skewed perspectives.

Still not a Senator, but I agree with you two's concerns. Hence the "privatization committee" idea.

(Also, I didn't notice that Blair appointed himself until I saw "Senator Blair" in this thread two minutes ago. I temporarily thought I had been transported to mid-2015. )

The problem with Atlasia is you go round in circles- I just know that I'll retire as an Assembly member. Although there's a certain joy in appointing yourself as Senator

[Blair]

What would stop it being sold off after we've approved it's sale to someone suitable?

I'd be open to private privatization, but with the government still holding some sort of stake in the company

[Blair]

Naturally we have broadcasters like this because they provide a national service-it's vital that we have news agencies that aren't just swayed by trashy drama or ratings wars. We need a quality, public service broadcaster-however I believe that can still go hand in hand with selling it to another company. I'd want certain safeguards put in place before any sell however

Are you implying that the BBC, does not have trashy dramas on it?


That said, I share your concern. I also like auctions, especially ones conducted as the one the one in the 1968 Casino Royale movie was. Now that was drama.

Oh of course not- anyone who's seen Mrs Browns Boys knows the BBC has been scrapping the barrel, but compared to ITV/Channel 5 at least they don't just show 'Benefits Porn' which is basically an hours program laughing at poor people.

[Blair]

I just read the original bill, and was rather surprised to see that we're putting a 0.5% tax on people's pay checks who earn over 40,000 simply to fund this bill- seems rather excessive

[Blair]

On another point I'd support repealing or heavily amending the original bill-it's got some rather strange aspects such as giving people 3 months term on the board.

What do other Senators feel about this?

[Blair]

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[/quote]

I offer this amendment, its deliberately not complete and requires further work, but puts a marker down regarding price

[Blair]

I'd not be able to support a bill that would sell of 100% of the ANB, we need to retain a governmental stake 

[Blair]

    Y'know, I was thinking; shouldn't PBS still exist? That makes ANB pretty redundant as an entity.

Exactly, which is why this was somewhat silly to begin with, and I'd prefer a full repeal over anything other than selling all of it, unless Senator Blair can convince me otherwise.

I'd not be able to support a bill that would sell of 100% of the ANB, we need to retain a governmental stake  

I'm not asking this to be obtuse or snarky, but...why?

Largely for the points put forward by Polnut- we've put a large amount of public money into it, and it's important for their to be an un-bias news service that puts quality programming before financial profits.

[Blair]

Surely this is the type of thing we should contact Enduro about- the GM has the power to decide if PBS exists

[Blair]

I object; I'll not support any amendment that supports wholesale sale (that's a tongue twister)

[Blair]

Nay

[Blair]

I object

[Blair]

Nay- the Senate needs more time to debate the issue considering for once we've actually got concerns

[Blair]

I motion to table this bill