Amendment proposes increased press subsidies

On October 30, deputy Erwan Balanant from the Les Démocrates party submitted an amendment to the 2027 Finance Bill, proposing to increase press subsidies by 30 million euros. The amendment, labeled II-2174, aims to use financial penalties from digital platforms for anti-competitive behavior as a funding source.

Balanant criticizes digital platforms

In his explanatory note, Balanant argued that digital platforms exploit content from publishers and press agencies without ensuring fair compensation. He pointed to financial sanctions imposed by the French Competition Authority on Google, totaling 500 million euros in 2021 and 250 million euros in 2024, as evidence of the economic challenges facing journalistic content remuneration.

Special fund proposed for press subsidies

To address these issues, Balanant proposed creating a special allocation account funded by penalties from digital platforms related to anti-competitive practices in neighboring rights. The collected funds would be used to finance press subsidies, aligning with his broader efforts to strengthen the rights of publishers and press agencies.

Amendment includes short-term funding boost

The amendment would provide a 30 million euro increase in press subsidies, both in engagement authorizations and payment credits. However, to meet financial rules for parliamentary amendments, this increase is balanced by a reduction in the "Book and Cultural Industries" program’s credits, a change Balanant requests the government to reverse.

Legislative action needed for implementation

While the amendment offers a short-term boost, the long-term implementation of the special allocation account would require specific legislative action. The proposal reflects ongoing efforts to address the financial challenges faced by traditional media in the digital age.