Politicians in London are ‘going to destroy the Welsh media’ making the devolution of broadcasting an ‘urgent priority’ according to language campaigners who have launched a policy paper in Bangor ahead of an upcoming review of S4C.

Pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg outlined plans for the shape of broadcasting in the country after it is devolved to the Assembly. The campaigners argue that devolution would allow for a more community-based system that would spur growth in local radio and digital platforms.

[Click here to see the discussion paper]

In the policy document, the group suggests turning the S4C Authority into a general ‘Broadcasting Authority’ for Wales which would be responsible for supervising a new S4C, or ‘Sianel Cymru’, which would run:

• Three Welsh language TV channels

• Three Welsh language radio stations

• Two multimedia Welsh language news services

• A support fund for local community media which produce Welsh language content

Speaking after the launch, which is part of the conference ‘Hacio’r Iaith’ in Bangor, Carl Morris, Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s digital spokesperson commented:

“We really need to move forward into a new age for the media in Wales - at the moment we are stuck far behind the Basque Country and Catalonia. The latest threat to cut S4C’s budget proves once again that there’s no way we can trust Ministers in London - they don’t give two hoots about Wales not to mention the Welsh language. They are going to destroy the Welsh media if things don’t change - devolving broadcasting to Wales is now an urgent priority.

“On top of that, Ofcom has failed to serve Wales and the Welsh language. So, we argue that the S4C Authority should be transformed and expanded into a “Broadcasting Authority for Wales’ which would replace Ofcom. The remit, duties and powers of the new body would include promoting and normalising the Welsh language on every media platform (including Netflix and Amazon Prime), with powers to set quotas for Welsh language output on commercial radio and local television. It would also have a duty to promote community media. And the new expanded S4C would produce its own news or commission Welsh language companies to provide it.”

The UK Government has said that a debate about devolving broadcasting is ‘inevitably’ going to be part of the S4C review its holding this year. Carl Morris added:

“The review of S4C is to be held this year; it represents a rare chance to look carefully at the broadcasting industry in Wales. The case for devolving broadcasting is a very strong one and professionals in the industry admit this. The powers are devolved in other small nations, where they have used them for the benefit of minoritised languages. We have an opportunity, through the S4C review, to begin to take steps toward a new shape of the media in Wales by devolving the system. That’s why we are launching our paper today in Bangor - to spur the far-reaching discussion that’s needed in order to normalise the Welsh language on every media platform.”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg are holding a series of meetings, in Caernarfon, Cardiff and Carmarthen, about the review of S4C asking for the public’s view and expert opinion on their proposals.