Politicians from three parties have today (Monday, 5 September) launched a parliamentary attempt to save Welsh language broadcaster S4C.

The three MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Labour - Ceredigion's Mark Williams, Clwyd South's Susan Elan Jones and Arfon's Hywel Williams - have tabled an amendment to the Public Bodies Bill which would stop the BBC from taking over Wales' only Welsh language channel.

Since the Government announced its plans to cut its grant to S4C by ninety-four percent, tens of organisations, leaders of the four main parties in Wales, Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan, two Westminster commitees, and tens of thousands of people have voiced their opposition.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) is organising an event outside S4C headquarters in Cardiff on 21st September along with a rally in Wrecsam on 8th October to draw attention to the channel's plight. Menna Machreth, broadcasting spokesperson for the group said:

"We're very pleased that members of three parties in Westminster have agreed to represent the tens of thousands of people who have campaigned against the Government's ill-considered plans. Plans which would put the future of S4C, the world's only Welsh language TV channel, in doubt. Over the next month, we, together with other groups, will press for our politicians to deliver what the people of Wales want, namely to take S4C out of the Public Bodies Bill. The Government has chosen to ignore the Welsh Affairs Committee's recommendation to change their plans for S4C, so we also expect support for the amendment from the Conservative MPs Alun Cairns, Guto Bebb and David Davies."

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg is encouraging people to support the cross-party effort to remove S4C from the bill by visiting the group's website, cymdeithas.org/lobi , and using the form on the website to send a message to the MPs who will consider the plans.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's annual rally - 'Challenging the Cuts: Seeking Justice for Welsh language broadcasting' will be held outside of the BBC's Wrexham centre on Saturday 8th October, 2:30pm.