By: Jim Waterson
August 22, 2018
Jeremy Corbyn is to propose a tax on big technology firms such as Facebook, Google and Netflix, to subsidise the BBC licence fee as part of a sweeping range of measures to reform the British media industry.
The Labour leader will warn that a “few tech giants and unaccountable billionaires will control huge swathes of our public space and debate” and that intervention is now required.
Corbyn has long been a critic of the of British media but until now has remained vague on how he would change the industry. However, in a speech at the Edinburgh TV festival on Thursday, he is expected to:
Propose a “digital licence fee” to help fund the BBC, paid for by a tax on big tech businesses and broadband providers.