Just tried to access a programme on BBC iplayer and got a pop up informing me that the law has changed and you now need a licence to view catch up.
1) How would they know if you were viewing?
2) If tv licencing were to pay a visit to your home, would they have a right to take your laptop to analyse if you had been viewing iplayer?
If you deny access to an inspector, and he has a reasonable suspicion that you have the equipment, he may come back with a policeman and a search warrant.
As mamya says - it's not about decency, it's about paying the required price for a service.
I have no problem with people who don't have a licence because they don't have a TV (or watch online these days).
But most of the anti-licence noise comes from a bunch of skinflint whingers, who could pay the price but would rather whine and moan instead - spouting on and on with some fake 'civil liberty' cobblers.
“I don't see that having a TV licence conveys decency on anybody,”
I suppose it depends how you define “decency”. Assuming that few people would buy a TV licence unless they needed one (i.e. unless they owned a TV set or watched broadcasts via some other means) those who need one and buy one comply with the law, those who need one and don’t buy one do not comply with the law. Do “decent” people deliberately break the law?
Apart from that, the TV licence can also be seen as a payment for a service provided. Not paying it is failing to pay for a service provided. Do “decent” people do that?
“If you are fined and don't pay the fine you can be imprisoned.”
Yes you certainly can. And the period of custody only writes off the fine. It does not write off any payments due to the TVL authority for back-dated licence fees.
NJ //It does not write off any payments due to the TVL authority for back-dated licence fees. //
How would they know how to backdate it, whos to say how long anyone has been watching tv for without a licence?
I think we all know the answer to that. Yes, they do, not bank robbery or murder but maybe slightly over a speed limit, dodgy parking, the odd 'emergency' phone call and on and on.