UPDATE 1-French TV, radio unions to strike over reform

(updates)

PARIS, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Unions representing French state radio and television workers on Tuesday maintained a call for a strike for Wednesday to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal to ban advertising from the public broadcasting sector.

"Fears are far from being eased and the need to be heard tomorrow is urgent," the unions said in a statement issued after meeting with officials from Sarkozy's staff on Tuesday.

In a surprise move, Sarkozy announced last month he wanted to scrap ads on public tv and radio, funding the revenue shortfall with a tax on private channels and on newer technologies, such as the Internet and mobile phones.

Unions say the project has not been fully thought out and warn that the state broadcasting sector risks losing funds and audience share as a result.

Unions have called for journalists and staff from France Televisions France 2, France 3, France 24, Canal France International, Radio France, RFI and RFO to protest against the reform.

Officials from Sarkozy's staff met unionists on Tuesday to discuss the situation, the presidential spokesman David Martinon said in a statement.

Martinon said Sarkozy would address their concerns shortly, adding that the advertising shortfall would be fully covered by other revenue streams. (Reporting by Gerard Bon, writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by David Cowell)