Plaid AM criticises ITV Wales for news signing decision
Plaid AM Dr. Dai Lloyd has today spoken out against the decision by ITV Wales to scrap its signed news from its flagship 6pm news programme, Wales Tonight.
The service, which has been in place since February 1986 will come to an end from this Friday onwards.
Dr. Lloyd today met with representatives from RNID at the National Assembly to discuss the issue, and has also written to ITV Wales’ Chief Executive Elis Owen to raise his concerns.
Dr. Dai Lloyd, Plaid AM For South Wales West commented:
“I had no idea that this was even being considered. This is very sad and will be a great loss to BSL users across Wales.
“I today met with representatives of the RNID who are very concerned with regards to the situation.
“This decision means that deaf BSL users in Wales will no longer have access to local news. Deaf people learnt of this decision at the end of last week. It is understood that ITV approached Ofcom for permission to go ahead and pull signed news from its local news bulletin. This was granted, with little or no consultation.
“I am also concerned about the very short notice given for implementation of this decision. I hope that this is not an attempt by ITV Wales to achieve a fait-a-complis.
“It is particularly sad because in 1986, when this service was inaugurated by the then HTV, it was a welcome step forward for rights for disabled people. Here we are 23 years later contemplating this retrograde action.”
