The Tory Government has rashly and without proper consultation decided to deny the Welsh people a fully funded and independent media. This was a poorly organised and ill researched attack on S4C, which will potentially have disastrous consequences for the Welsh language and the productive media in Wales. This was clearly spelt out at yesterday‘s lobby organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Westminster.
There were a variety of speakers representing Cymdeithas, the creative trades unions, members of Plaid Cymru and The Labour Party as well as Lord Roberts of The Liberal Democrats who gave a vigorous defence of Tory policy.
The Tory/Lib Dem Government will cut S4C’s budget by 40% in real terms over the next 4 years according to BECTU, this cut will endanger the very existence of the world’s only Welsh language channel. Wales has benefitted from a bold and vigorous independent media as well having the BBC. However the Government want to subsume S4C into the BBC. Jeremy Hunt the culture secretary has tried to make out that this will make no difference to S4C if there were an doubts about this Michael Lyons, Chairman of the BBC trustees, has stated; “The BBC Trust is the guardian of the licence fee and as a result will need to have oversight of how this money is being spent”
It was the people of Wales who established S4C and it has been a treasure for all of the people of Wales if the current UK government wish to ignore the will of the Welsh people then we must let them know that this will be remembered.
Below is the constituency address for Jeremy Hunt;
2 Royal Parade
Tilford Road
Hindhead
Surrey
GU26 6TD
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