MP Jonathan Edwards and Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr today signed a statement calling for the devolution of responsibility for the media in Wales as part of a Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg campaign to speak out on the issue.

Jonathan Edwards MP said:

'A chance to say thanks', that's how S4C campaigners have described Euro MP Jill Evans court appearance in Pontypridd today (Friday, 4th November) over her refusal to pay the TV licence.

Since Autumn last year, over 150 campaigners, including singer Bryn Bryn Fôn and the Reverend Guto Prys ap Gwynfor, stated their intention to refuse to pay the TV licence.

The actions of Jill Evans and others were part of the campaign against 94% cuts to Welsh TV channel S4C and plans to merge it with the BBC.

Following a discussion in a meeting of the ruling body of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg on the weekend, the group will be advising its members to start paying their TV licences again.

The organisation will continue to campaign for a strong future for Welsh television by calling for the devolution of broadcasting to Wales. Members of the campaign group will meet outside the Senedd, in Cardiff Bay, next week ( 12:30pm, Tuesday, 8th November) to lobby politicians in Cardiff Bay ahead of a debate on S4C in the Assembly chamber.

Three members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg - Jamie Bevan, Colin Nosworthy and Bethan Williams - have interrupted proceedings at the House of Commons during a debate on the Public Bodies Bill which if passed will have a direct effect on the future of S4C the Welsh language television Channel.

As they were being led out of the chamber Bethan Williams, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg said:

Cymdeithas yr Iaith's reaction to the agreement between the BBC, S4C and DCMS.

Cymdeithas Chair Bethan Williams commented:

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