A HOUSE of Commons inquiry lead by Monmouth MP David Davies has called on the Government to maintain the independence of Welsh language broadcaster S4/C.
The Welsh Affairs Committee, chaired by Mr Davies, announced in October that it would be looking into S4/C. After hearing evidence from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Welsh Assembly Government, BBC, S4/C and industry witnesses, it published its report on Wednesday (11th May).
Mr Davies, himself a fluent Welsh speaker, said: “Although Welsh isn’t widely spoken in Monmouthshire, there are lots of Welsh speakers and learners living here.
“We concluded that S4/C is an absolutely integral part of Welsh culture and language. While there have been serious concerns about the way the S4/C Authority and management have performed over the last year or so, it’s time for S4/C to move on from those difficulties. We intend to hold a pre-appointment hearing with the proposed new Chairman of S4/C in due course and I look forward to questioning the candidate about their vision for the channel’s future.
“From 2013, most of S4/C’s funding will come from the licence fee and as the partnership with the BBC is developed, it is essential that S4/C maintains its operational, editorial and financial independence. We also raised the prospect of the Welsh Assembly having a scrutiny role over the S4/C Authority.
“We are satisfied, for the most part, S4/C is providing quality programming, especially its drama and children’s programmes. However, looking forward we argue that, as S4/C itself accepts, there is room for improvement in S4/C’s performance as it competes in the multi-platform digital age. Indeed, in this new phase for S4/C we want to see an increased focus on efficiency and improved audience figures for S4/C’s output”.
A full copy of the report is available to download at: