Welsh language media in spotlight

Welsh language broadcasting ‘has never mattered more’, says BBC Wales Director

The case for public investment to support Welsh language broadcasting “has never been clearer”, says the Director of BBC Cymru Wales ahead of a major Eisteddfod debate looking at the future of Welsh-medium media.

Rhodri Talfan Davies will join senior industry figures at a Cardiff University debate to discuss what some are calling the ‘most serious crisis for Welsh language broadcasting since S4C was established more than 30 years ago’.

The event takesplaceat the Cardiff University pavilion on the Maes from 1200-1400 on Monday 3 August.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Talfan Davies said:"Welsh language broadcasting across radio, television and the internet has never mattered more. And the case for the public investment that supports it has never been clearer.

“So it's vital that that the public have a real voice in the debate about the future of public broadcasting in Wales."

The panel will also feature S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones, Professor Sioned Davies, Head of the School of Welsh at Cardiff University, and mass media expert Dr Rhodri ap Dyfrig.

Also taking part in the event are Sara Moseley, from School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, and barrister and broadcaster Gwion Lewis.

“Cardiff University has long been at the forefront of educating the UK’s leading journalists and we have worked hard over the past two years, with the support of the Coleg Cymraeg, to extend what’s on offer in Welsh. It is very important to us that we play our part in shaping and supporting what is a vital sector for Wales and for the Welsh language,” said Sara Moseley ahead of the event.

The discussion is being staged by the University, BBC Cymru Wales, S4C, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, which promotes the use of Welsh at universities, and the Welsh production company, Rondo Media.

It will touch upon some of the subjects raised in the Rondo-produced BBC Radio Cymru series Cyflwr y Cyfryngau, which is presented by Gwion Lewis and looks at the state of the media in Wales.

The discussion will be recorded for the final episode of Cyflwr y Cyfryngau.

Gwion Lewis said: "Welsh language broadcasting is facing its most serious crisis since S4C was established in 1982.

“There is an urgent need for a national debate about the function of public service broadcasting today in Wales, and the best way of funding it in the post-devolution age."

The discussion comes as decisions on the funding and direction of Welsh language media are reaching a crucial point.

The Welsh Affairs select committee has just announced that the future of broadcasting in Wales is to be the subject of an inquiry.

Committee chairman David Davies said it would focus on the "Welsh picture", including broadcasting in the Welsh language.

The funding of S4C has also been under scrutiny after UK ministers announced a major review of the BBC.

S4C gets most of its income from the BBC licence fee, with some from the UK government plus commercial income.