News Archive

Protestors occupy BBC offices over S4C
31/01/2011 - 12:57
Language protestors have occupied the Cardiff offices of the BBC this morning.The campaigners, including the Reverend Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, son of Gwynfor Evans, went into the BBC building while accusing them of acting in an 'undemocratic' way by taking over S4C.Last year, BBC bosses and the Westminster Government agreed that S4C would be licence fee-funded, answ
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S4C: TV licence fee boycott as tour begins
27/01/2011 - 19:15
Gwynfor Evans's son Guto Prys ap Gwynfor and the historian Dr Meredydd Evans are amongst those who are revealed to not be paying their TV licence today (Thursday, 27th January), as language campaigners begin a series of public meetings to discuss the future of S4C.There are fears for the future of the channel after the Westminster Government stated its intention to cut its budget 40% in
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S4C to go same way as the BBC World Service?
26/01/2011 - 17:56
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society) has claimed that the cuts to the World Service announced today show that S4C won't be safe in the BBC hands.650 jobs will go in the service after the Government cut its grant to the channel 16% and decided to fund it via the licence fee, a similar plan to the one proposed for S4C.Menna Machreth, broadcasting spokesperson for Cymd
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Aberystwyth University, 'ignores community needs'
26/01/2011 - 12:34
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has reacted to the decision of Aberystwyth University to appoint a new Vice-Chancellor who doesn't speak Welsh.Ffred Ffransis, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's education spokesperson said:"It must be April Fool's Day today.
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S4C: 'clueless' Minister claim
18/01/2011 - 15:41
Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has called Culture Minister Ed Vaizey 'clueless' after hearing his evidence to MPs today.The Minister, who is responsible for S4C, admitted to the Welsh Affairs Committee he had never watched the channel and that there are no guarantees the channel will be funded after 2015.Bethan Williams, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, said:"It's amazing that someone
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Welsh language activists to 'move on' from Saunders Lewis
15/01/2011 - 15:00
Almost fifty years after the 'Tynged yr Iaith' (Fate of the Language) lecture by Saunders Lewis on the radio, that led to the estalishment of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the movement will share its vision of how to secure sustainable Welsh speaking communities - in a speech entitled 'Tynged yr Iaith 2'. Members of the society will make the special address in Blaenau Ffestiniog ( 2pm, Dydd Sadwrn, Ionawr 15fed) and children from Ysgol y Parc, an under-threat school in a Welsh language community, will sing during the event.
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Campaigners call on BBC Bosses to withdraw from S4C talks
11/01/2011 - 20:19
Trade unionists and language activists are calling on the BBC and S4C bosses to withdraw from talks with the UK Department of Culture Media and Sport regarding the future of the Welsh language broadcaster.Campaigners are concerned that behind the scene talks are taking place before the Public Bodies Bill - which permits over 40% cuts to the channel's budget, governance changes and its abolition - is scrutinised in Westminster .In a statement, trade union BECTU says: "Discussions between the the BBC and S4C are inappropriate before discussions and decisions by Lords and MP's in Westminst
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S4C: First 100 refuse to pay TV licence
10/01/2011 - 12:33
Over a hundred people have signed up to stop paying their TV licence in under week in protest over threats to S4C, according to Welsh language campaigners.Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg launched a campaign last month for people to stop paying the TV licence until the UK government guarantees independence and sufficient funding for the channel.
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S4C: Protest at Minister's Office
15/12/2010 - 17:00
Welsh language protestors have targeted the constituency office of the UK Culture Secretary in protest against cuts to S4C and to merge the channel with the BBC today (Wednesday, 15th December). Three campaigners placed posters on Jeremy Hunt MP's office in Hindhead, Surrey.
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Thanks! Message from the Chair
14/12/2010 - 16:38
For the first time in history, the Welsh language is an official language in our country. As an organisation that has campaigned for decades to secure official status, we welcome this important step, which is a source of pride for the whole nation.I would like to thank everyone who played a part in the campaign for new language legislation over many years. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who ever attended a protest; signed a petition or a letter; took part in non-violent direct action; made a public stand or worked behind the scenes.
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