Letter: A licence not to watch
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IF I WENT to my newsagent and stole the Independent on Sunday I might be prosecuted and fined and if I did not pay the fine I might be sent to
prison. Would you then write: 'Banged up for stealing a newspaper'? Many people go to prison for non-payment and not the offence for which they were first prosecuted. In effect they are guilty of contempt of court.
At pounds 83 a year the television licence costs only pounds 1.60 a week. How many of the people sent to prison spend more than that on a packet of cigarettes?
People who have television sets need licences. That was a decision made by Parliament many years ago. If they do not have a licence they are taking something for nothing, like a shoplifter. I pay for my licence out of a modest income and I do not see why I should pay more to let others off free.
John Faulls
Portsmouth
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments