Cymdeithas response to S4C report

In response to the report 'S4C's Vision 2012 and beyond' published by S4C today, Bethan Williams, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg commented:"This report confirms what we as campaigners have been predicting since last year. People in Wales are going to receive a significantly worse service because of the 94% cut to S4C's government grant. We're holding a rally in Cardiff on Thursday before two of our members face jail because of the threats to the channel.""The world's only Welsh language TV channel is on the verge of disappearing because of the joint plan between the BBC and Government. The Government refuses to listen to the 13,000 people who signed our petition against the cuts, the Archbishop of Wales, the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, the Westminster Culture Committee, the party leaders in Wales and the two thousand people who attended our last rally in the capital. More and more people are stating that they'll refuse to pay their TV licences because of the threats to broadcasting in Wales, it seems that may be the only thing which can stop these cuts.""It's important that the channel's bosses realise that the Welsh language is not just for children, that's why it's important there's a magazine programme for adults in the afternoon. If the language is to live, S4C must reflect the lives of people of all ages on the TV screen. Throughout our campaign, we have been calling for a new S4C - our national channel must move to towards being a multi-media provider. That will not be possible with such extensive cuts."