In the early hours of the morning, the Knesset approved an amendment to the Public Broadcasting Corporation Law in which from March 2016, a new body will be set up called the Israel Broadcasting Corporation to replace the existing Israel Broadcasting Authority. The amendment brought by Minister of Science Ofir Akunis retroactively cancels the TV license fee from January 2015. The fee, which was instituted in 1968, will therefore no longer be collected.
However, any debts by the public prior to January 2015, will still need to be paid.
The new law passed its third Knesset reading with 23 MKs in favor and 18 against.
Akunis said, "47 years after collection of the TV license fee began, it has finally been cancelled. This is a huge consumer achievement.
He added, "Israel needs strong, independent and effective public broadcasting and this Law promotes the establishment of an Israel Broadcasting Corporation that will begin broadcasting on March 31, 2016. The name of the corporation reflects its content. Its broadcasts will be expressed by balance and pluralism a range of opinions, positions and cultures in Israeli society."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 3, 2015
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