Oral - Public Service Broadcasting

Developments in the field of broadcasting, particularly the implications of what ITV Wales is facing, are advancing rapidly. Today is an opportune occasion to update the Assembly on the Government’s point of view. During my questions session on 1 October, several Assembly Members expressed a desire to be given another opportunity to discuss broadcasting issues. I therefore look forward to hearing Members’ views on this, as well as their suggestions as to what can be done to address those issues.

Things have moved on apace since I provided the Assembly Government’s initial response to the Broadcasting Committee’s report in July. I would like to reiterate my thanks to the committee members for the work that they achieved in a short time. In September, the Assembly Government issued a formal response to the committee’s report, which is available on our website, and I hope that Members have now had an opportunity to read it.

On 25 September, the second phase of the Ofcom public service broadcasting review was published. The Assembly Government immediately expressed its concern about what was announced, particularly the implications for ITV Wales and the job losses that will result from the decision. Although broadcasting is not a devolved matter, the Assembly Government is keenly aware of the implications of the recent Ofcom proposals. I have no doubt we are all concerned about the changes, which could lead to undermining efforts to retain the plurality of programmes made in Wales and about Wales.

The Assembly Government will, of course, respond formally to Ofcom’s most recent review. However, in view of the need to address this quickly, we have already taken action to find ways forward. Two weeks ago, I announced that I had set up an advisory group on broadcasting, to be chaired by Huw Jones, former chief executive of S4C. The other members of it are Geraint Talfan Davies, Julie Barton and Kevin Morgan. The group will consider the future options for public service broadcasting in Wales through the medium of English. The group was set up to prepare clear advice on the best way to ensure that public service broadcasting reflects the interests of viewers in Wales. The group’s recommendations include proposals concerning the ITV licence up to 2014, as well as the identification of long-term choices. I expect to receive its initial suggestions by December 2008. Work is already under way, and a series of meetings has been arranged. I look forward to receiving the group’s recommendations in due course. Members are welcome to submit their suggestions to the group on the way forward.

As well as the establishment of the group, it is important that Wales plays a prominent role in the discussions that Ofcom has initiated about the future of public broadcasting. The Broadcasting Committee, under the chairmanship of Alun Davies, made a valuable contribution in that direction earlier this summer, and I am anxious to build on that. Therefore, I will be meeting with Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport next week. The meeting will give me an opportunity to raise a range of issues that relate to broadcasting. I am keen to emphasise the concerns felt by the people of Wales about public broadcasting and the need to ensure robust provision on the networks is relevant to their daily lives. In particular, I intend to discuss the uncertain future of ITV Wales, which is of concern to us all. Once again, I wish to emphasise that an alternative provision in the field of public broadcasting to the English-medium service provided by the BBC is vital to our nation and to healthy democracy. On the same day, I will be meeting with Mark Thompson, director general of the BBC.

Sharing experiences with other United Kingdom countries also has its merits. I have already had a meeting with Blair Jenkins, chair of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission, and being informed of the latest developments in Scotland was invaluable. I will shortly be meeting with Linda Fabiani, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture in the Scottish Government, and with Gregory Campbell, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in the Northern Ireland Executive.

I am also working closely with the Deputy First Minister in his role as Minister for the economy, to ensure that we also maximise the benefits of broadcasting to the economy. The Welsh Assembly Government welcomes the recent announcement by the BBC that Wales’s share of the television network expenditure will increase to 5 per cent by 2016. I am keen to emphasise today that we expect that 5 per cent to represent a minimum and not a maximum increase.

I am sure that we all welcome the announcement that programmes such as Crimewatch and possibly Casualty will be produced here in Wales from now on. That decision has been made in principle, but I want to see the BBC act on this issue, by announcing a firm implementation plan very soon.

Wales is now a fitting place in which to build a world-class centre of excellence for the production of drama programmes, and we will be working closely with the BBC, as is in the interests of the Welsh economy. In order to meet this goal, we also welcome the announcement that the BBC is considering creating a 'drama village’ in Wales—and we have one or two of those already. [Laughter.] A major production centre such as this would support the development of a sustainable production site in Wales, and we are already assisting that project by identifying a suitable location. I hope that this will also spur authors and producers to create exciting and appealing material from Wales and about Wales, but for the international market.

We must build on this as well as ensure that Wales has appropriate representation on every network. During my meeting with Mark Thompson of the BBC, I will be keen to hear precisely how the corporation intends to respond to Professor Anthony King’s report when representing Wales on the network. However, other broadcasters also have a duty to commit to this agenda, and not only for dry reasons that reflect the regulations set out in some rule book or to meet a quota. That is not why we have become despondent about Wales all too often being invisible on the networks, but because the people of Wales deserve programming that represents their day-to-day lives, and because this country has a valuable contribution to make to the culture of these islands.