MOST people, when I tell them I have no television, agree that some programmes are a waste of time, and can understand why I should think I am better off without one. Yes, it's great without a telly!
However, my experience with the Television Licensing Authority is very similar to that of Dorothy Wootton (Evening Press, Wednesday, December 18).
I have experienced harassment, insensitivity and a strong imputation of guilt. For example, some of the forms they send lack the option of a tick-box for "I do not have a TV set."
I gave up watching television in August 1999, and informed the TVLA of my decision before the last licence ran out.
Since then I have had at least nine letters and two telephone calls, to all but one of which I have replied at once. If you try to phone them, the line may go dead; if you get through you are stonewalled.
Sometimes I have had to pay postage, and of course I have photocopied their forms and kept my letters on disk. The time I have wasted and the anxiety this confrontation has engendered cannot be costed, but are considerable.
The TVLA has twice promised that I will hear no more for two years but, be warned Dorothy, there is no gap in their contact with me longer than five months.
Mrs I M Wood,
St Andrewgate,
York.
Updated: 10:06 Saturday, December 21, 2002
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