Swedish Culture Minister Resigns in Scandal over License Fees

October 17, 2006 World Screen

STOCKHOLM, October 17: Sweden’s Minister of Culture, Cecilia
Stego Chilo, resigned yesterday after admitting that she had not paid the
mandatory television license fee for 16 years.

The move by Chilo follows the weekend resignation of trade
minister Maria Borelius over similar allegations. Swedes are required to pay
about 1,500 kronor ($200) per year in license fees, which support the market’s
public broadcasters. As culture minister, Stego Chilo was charged with
overseeing the regulation of the country’s television industry.