Language campaigners have called for a second Welsh-language service following a speech by the BBC's Director General today who suggested expanding the corporation's services in other world languages, but not Welsh.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has pointed to the substantial growth in English-language services over a period of decades while Welsh-language services have been cut, such as the reduction in the number of hours broadcast on Radio Cymru. The choice of English language TV channels has grown to over 450 in Britain and over 600 radio stations broadcasting in English. Despite this growth in English language services in recent years, there remains only one Welsh language radio station and one Welsh language television station, S4C, the minimum required under a pan-European charter on smaller languages.
The call for an additional Welsh language service comes after the Scottish First Minister and RTE in Ireland outlined plans for additional minority language services in their countries. Responding to Tony Hall's speech, Aled Powell, Cymdeithas' broadcasting spokesperson, said:
“It's strange to hear the BBC talking about providing more language services in many different places, without talking about a growth in its Welsh language output. The idea of creating a new interactive channel for Wales is a good one, but there's no mention on expanding Welsh language output despite consistent cuts over the years. It is becoming clearer than ever before that we need broadcasting devolved so it responds to the needs of Wales. The lack of media plurality in Wales, especially in Welsh, is a problem that Tony Hall's BBC cannot answer.
"However, it's good to see the BBC agrees with Cymdeithas that there needs to be a new multimeda provider instead of trying to appeal to everyone with one radio station and TV station. However, we believe that such a venture should be independent of the BBC to ensure a real choice, and one in Welsh. It's also good to hear that the BBC intends on being more willing to share content, especially in terms of journalist, and a new independent multi-platform Welsh language broadcasting choose to take advantage of that.
"It seems from the speech that there is no ambition forthcoming from the BBC in London for its Welsh language services. It's essential the UK Government increases S4C's budget so that broadcaster is completely independent.
The language movement have already published a paper recommending raising hundreds of millions of pounds through a new tax on advertisements and privately-owned businesses in order to fund this second multimedia platform, as well as other public service broadcasters. According to the campaigners, profits of companies like Sky and Google have grown substantially, while the budget available to public service broadcasters has been the subject of severe cuts. Google only paid £11.2 million in corporation tax in 2012 on an income of £3.5 billion in Britain. BSkyB makes an annual profit in the region of £1.3 billion. The UK Government grant for S4C has been cut by 92% since 2010.