(Title Image: themediaangel.co.uk)
- Covid-19 pandemic said to have exacerbated problems within Welsh journalism.
- Numerous calls for public notices to be published on a greater range of platforms as indirect public funding.
- Welsh Government accepts all but one of the Committee’s recommendations.
Yesterday, the Senedd discussed the Culture Committee’s report on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on journalism – summarised here.
Given that the situation regarding domestic coverage in Wales was already perilous, Acting Chair of the Committee, Helen Mary Jones MS (Plaid, Mid & Wales Wales) said the crisis exacerbated existing problems. Also, while coverage of Wales at a UK level improved gradually through the crisis, the over-reliance on outlets which produce Anglo-centric coverage caused confusion.
One of the Committee’s key recommendations – pressed by several members – was that statutory public notices should be published on a wider range of outlets to provide an income without being a direct subsidy.
David Melding MS (Con, South Wales Central) warned of the perils of people getting their news via social media; it’s a complementary tool and has given everyone a voice, but has become a source of misinformation.
After three-plus years, I finally bask in the limelight of a mention in the Senedd chamber itself, courtesy of Dr Hefin David MS (Lab, Caerphilly).
“I took a great deal of interest in this report, particularly because there are two sources of very good-quality journalism that I use – it isn’t one of the big ones – and that’s Senedd Home, which is run by Owen Donovan, and it’s run entirely as a labour of love.
“It is the best summary of these debates that you will see anywhere, and I would recommend any Member….use that as a source for finding out what has gone on….because it is the best summary you will see, short of reading through the Record yourself, which, of course, isn’t possible. And I’m sure this will get a mention in his summary as well, which is not why I’m saying it, Deputy Minister.”
– Dr Hefin David MS
Helen Mary Jones later mentioned that while she doesn’t agree with everything I write, Senedd Home is “incredibly accurate”. I’m not going to turn down a plug, am I? I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.
The other (proper) outlet mentioned by Hefin David was the “reliable and trusted” Caerphilly Observer, with a warning from the editor, Richard Gurner, that direct press subsidy isn’t necessarily the best road to go down as it raises questions about accountability.
Sian Gwenllian MS (Plaid, Arfon) mentioned her party’s support for the creation of an independent media commission to fund Welsh and English-language digital media and to tackle news deserts where local newspapers have closed. Meanwhile, Mick Antoniw MS (Lab, Pontypridd) noted how community radio stations like GTFM came into their own during the pandemic and the February 2020 floods.
The Welsh Government accepted all but one of the Committee’s recommendations.
In reply, Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism & Sport, Dafydd Elis-Thomas (Ind, Dwyfor Meirionnydd), said discussions will take place with Creative Wales to consider how to develop a partnership to improve the levels of information and coverage of the Senedd and Welsh Government.
He suggested it was certainly possible to have arms-length funding of journalism going forward which protects journalistic independence, but more complicated issues such as the BBC are – as of now – constitutionally out-of-bounds (broadcasting is non-devolved).
