Save S4C

S4C is the only Welsh language television channel in the world. The ConDem coalition government in London is slashing the S4C budget and removing its independence by absorbing it into the BBC. No guarantees have been given about public funding beyond 2015 and very little information has come out from the BBC as to their plans for the channel.

Claims of low viewing figures and questionable practices in the running of the channel have helped those who would quietly like to see the end of an independent Welsh language TV channel. Many of those campaigning to save the channel are fiercly critical of the channel's failings and so are not demanding that it continues in its current form.

S4C is not just for Welsh speakers. Many non-Welsh speaking parents with children in Welsh medium schools recognise the fantastic worth of Cyw, S4C's children's programming. For many parents who don't speak Welsh, S4C provides one of the few ways children can hear Welsh outside school, something vital to their language acquisition, especially over long time periods like the summer holidays. It's also vital in the process of normalising the Welsh language within our communities.

The principle of a Welsh language channel is an important one to uphold. It's not just a broadcasting issue. It is a language issue.

In support of the campaign to save S4C, I have stopped paying my TV licence.

Speaking ahead of a rally being held today in Cardiff, Cymdeithas Yr Iaith Chair Bethan Williams said:

“The channel faces cuts to its budget of over 40% in real terms, being swallowed by the BBC and seeing powers to get rid of the channel completely in the hands of Westminster Ministers. The Government is saving 94% of the money that they used to pay S4C, cuts that are wholly unfair. It will be impossible to secure the independence of S4C under the joint-proposals of the Government to fund S4C through the BBC. We now know that if the BBC had refused this idea there would be no threat to the independence of the channel. The unfortunate truth is that the heads of the BBC in London don’t care one bit about S4C, and that is why we are in a critical situation at this time.”

S4C was set up after a difficult battle. This campaign is about making sure it doesn't disappear without a similar fight.

Ymlaen a'r ymgyrch.

Hands Off Welsh Language Broadcasting

I am hoping for a good turn-out in Cardiff tomorrow for a rally in support of S4C. Since the Con/Dem coalition government in Westminster announced plans to transfer the purse strings from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to the BBC, concerns have been raised about the future of S4C and indeed, the language itself.

This decision, which is set to come into effect from 2014, was a complete stitch-up between the Con/Dems and BBC bosses in London with no consultation with anyone in Wales. That in itself is reason enough to protest. It makes a complete mockery of the ‘respect’ agenda between Westminster and the Wales that Cameron was keen to trumpet upon entering number 10.

Saturday's rally is not about maintaining the status quo. It has been widely recognised that governance issues at the channel should be looked into and the best way of doing this is in the form of an inquiry. Questions regarding the proposed arrangements remain answered; chief among them is the issue of the channel’s independence. We must avoid an “annual review and an annual bust-up” over the S4C budget as warned by Plaid Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones.

The BBC is set to come under increasing pressure over the coming years to cut back on its budget, as today's strike shows. These are not the best circumstances under which to take control of S4C. Will we see Welsh-language broadcasting become yet another target for the Murdoch media empire and other BBC critics to aim their vitriol at? We have already had a taste of the xenophobic, ignorant, and quite frankly, juvenile attacks that we can expect to be lobbed at S4C with depressing regularity under the proposed arrangements.

Another question. Will S4C be allowed to commission its own programmes under the new arrangements? The removal of autonomy must be opposed vociferously. Plurality in the Welsh media is already a major concern with question marks still lingering over the future of ITV Wales. Any moves that neuter S4C as an independent channel, capable of commissioning its own programmes and forging its own direction, will be a further nail in the coffin of plurality in the Welsh media.

S4C is not only a vital plank for the creative industries of Wales and an important provider of good quality jobs, it is also a cultural institution. With the demand for Welsh medium education increasing in many parts of the country – particularly in areas where the language was almost wiped out a century ago by draconian limits on its use – the children’s programmes on S4C are a vital learning resource. For many children learning through the medium of Welsh in school, S4C provides the only opportunity to hear the language outside of the classroom.

It is for all these reasons that I hope people will turn up and show their support at the rally, arranged by Welsh language pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith, at Cathays Park tomorrow. (Meet at 11am).

Let's send a strong message to Culture Minister Jeremy Hunt and his cronies that they can’t get away with treating the Welsh nation and our language like this.

Wales should make Welsh language laws

I'll be going to the Cymdeithas Yr Iaith (Welsh Language Society) demonstration outside the Senedd at 2pm today. They are calling for strong legislation to protect the Welsh language and for all powers over language legislation to be devolved to Wales. Adam Price (Plaid), Jake Griffiths (Green), Catrin Dafydd (Cymdeithas) and Angharad Mair will be speaking.

And on Monday the Assembly's Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order (LCO) scrutiny committee will be meeting informally (and in private) with MPs from the Welsh Affairs Select Committee to discuss the LCO. Hopefully this meeting will ensure a smooth passage of competence over language legislation to the Assembly, which is the obvious place for such laws to be made.