AT long last we have someone in our midst, namely Maxine Gordon, who is prepared to beat the gong about BBC TV licences.
Ms Gordon's article "Free us from repeat fees" (December 9) quite clearly states what the majority of people think, that paying a licence fee is long out-of-date and should be abolished.
It is still a criminal offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 Section 1 to evade payment of the licence fee, which if unpaid and if court proceedings are brought, could result in imprisonment. Such proceedings invariably incur fines and that makes the ultimate sanction imprisonment if unpaid.
Since the BBC is no longer a public body, it should behave as all other private sector companies are obliged to. That is become accountable for its own finances without the need to rely on the general public, by law, having to pay a fee, which is backed by court proceedings if necessary.
De-criminalisation of the licence fee evasion is long overdue and the Government should recognise this and abolish the TV licence fee.
David S Osborne,
Huntsmans Lane,
Stamford Bridge, York.
Updated: 08:46 Monday, January 03, 2005
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