Welsh Government to fund media in Wales as part of Plaid-Labour deal
The Welsh Government plans to fund new and existing media platforms in Wales as part of the Plaid Cymru and Labour co-operation agreement.
They will also call for the devolution of broadcasting to Wales and create a shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales.
The deal says they will “fund existing and new enterprises to improve Welsh-based journalism to tackle the information deficit”.
It also adds that they intend to “explore the creation of a shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority for Wales, to address our concerns about the current fragility in the media and attacks on its independence.
“This body would support the use of the Welsh language, particularly in digital and encourage media plurality. We believe broadcasting and communication powers should be devolved to Wales.”
A Senedd Committee had previously said in March that Wales must have more powers over how broadcasting is funded and regulated if the country was to develop a media which properly serves and represents the country.
The Senedd’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee also said that the Welsh Government should establish an ongoing central fund to support news journalism, with arms-length delivery and accountability to secure impartiality.
The Welsh Conservatives are likely to oppose any attempts to directly fund the Welsh media, with leader Andrew RT Davies previously accusing the media of being “in hock to the nationalist agenda”.
He accuses BBC Wales and “nationalist” news sites of trying to “push a narrative” that he says will “lead to the demise of Britain”.
The agreement between Plaid Cymru and Labour is a joint policy programme covering 46 areas, ranging from the delivery of free school meals to all primary school pupils; a commitment to take immediate and radical action to address the second homes crisis, to long-term reform of the Senedd.
Plaid Cymru Members will not be joining the Welsh Government as Ministers or Deputy Ministers. Plaid Cymru will appoint a designated lead member for the agreement and committees made up of Welsh Ministers and Plaid Cymru designated members will be established to reach agreement on issues covered by the Co-operation Agreement.
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I firmly believe that BREXIT gained a majority of votes in Wales due to the 20 plus years of bile drip fed to our population by the Anglo centric London rags.
What a terrible waste of wood pulp / recycled paper.
So you are saying your countrymen can’t think for themselves?
No. He’s indirectly pointing out that the lack of a Welsh media that would have been able to elaborate on any advantages to Wales from remaining in the EU was unavailable before the referendum.
More like 40 years
Better to be in hock to the “nationalist agenda” than in hock to the upper class of the country next door.