Finland Times

 

Leaders of political parties spoke on the media day on Wednesday. Photo Lehtikuva.

Politicians are willing to help the media industry by introducing uniform value added tax in the whole media industry to 10 percent and easing advertising restrictions. 

 

Currently, the VAT on newspaper subscription is set at 10 percent, but for instance in case of digital magazines, the VAT is set at 24 percent. This is based on EU legislation which consider digital magazine as a service and not a product.

 

The issue came to light during media day in which a panel discussion was attended by Finance Minister Antti Rinne, Environment Minister Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen as well as opposition leaders Juha Sipilä who is the Chair of Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) and Chair of Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party).

 

Finance Minister Antti Rinne, said the setting an uniform VAT of 10 percent for the whole media industry is justified so as to create a level playing ground in the industry. However, this will require negotiation with the EU.

 

The other participants shared the similar opinions with regard to the issue.

 

Of the participants, Grahn-Laasonen was most vocal when it came to the issue of deregulating advertisements.

 

According to Grahn-Laasonen, restriction on advertisement benefits companies such as Google which are registered in other countries.