Plaid AM calls for dedicated English-language channel for Wales
Wales needs to develop a dedicated English-language television channel to counter the BBC domination of Welsh produced news and programming - that is the call from Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd.
Assembly Members have this week been discussing the ITV reorganisation which will see ITV Wales essentially merge to create a “super region” including the English north west and Midlands.
Dr. Lloyd, who sits on the Assembly’s Communities and Culture Committee stated:
“This latest news that ITV is essentially to merge with the English Regions is another setback to Welsh broadcasting. ITV Wales has been cutting back significantly on its programming and staff numbers for some time and this is resulting in fewer and fewer resources being made available to report on Welsh-based news and issues.
“This is a serious problem for Wales as it means that the BBC is building a domination in this regard. It is essential that we have plurality in terms of reporting news, our democracy, and our way of life. To have just one source of information is not healthy.”
Dr. Lloyd added:
“We already know that 85 percent of the Welsh population read London-based newspapers which make hardly any mention of Wales. Therefore, only some 15 per cent of the population reads newspapers that carry news about Wales and from Wales.
“Therefore, there is already enough of a gap in terms of reporting on Welsh issues to the people of Wales. There is a danger that the majority of people in Wales will fail to be informed with regards to latest developments on a Wales-wide basis, including key areas such as health, education and transport to name a few.
“It is vitally important that we safeguard and develop an English-language service for Wales, from Wales and about Wales
“I am not only talking about news, but about programmes that reflect Wales in its entirety and I believe that the best way to do that would be to create a dedicated English-language channel for Wales, along the same lines as we have S4C.”
