Oral - A Review of the Welsh Language Print Media

On 9 August 2007, I announced that I had asked the Welsh Language Board to carry out a review of the Welsh-language print media in Wales. The purpose of the review was to obtain a clear and comprehensive picture of the state of the Welsh-language print media in Wales. I wanted to look at how the Welsh Assembly Government could implement in a sustainable way the recommendation of 'One Wales’ to

'expand the funding and support for Welsh-medium magazines and newspapers, including the establishment of a Welsh-language daily newspaper.’

The Welsh Language Board appointed Dr Tony Bianchi to conduct the review, and his report 'A Review of the Welsh Language Print Media’, which was published on 14 January, includes a detailed analysis of the publications that were within the review’s terms of reference - Golwg, Y Cymro, Barn, and the new proposed Welsh-language daily newspaper, Y Byd - as well as useful international comparisons.

Dr Bianchi’s analysis of the intention to establish a Welsh-language daily newspaper raises crucial questions that have led to a keen debate that will certainly continue. There is detailed consideration of the arguments for and against establishing a Welsh-language daily newspaper. Although the report notes that the viability of a Welsh-language daily newspaper has not been fully demonstrated, nor can it be fully demonstrated on the basis of market research or the performance of comparable initiatives elsewhere, the intention to establish a Welsh-language daily newspaper has certainly attracted interest and support. The report confirms and recognises the commendable efforts to establish a Welsh-language daily newspaper.
Although the report notes that the print media sector in Wales is fragile, uneven and incomplete, it refers to the high standard of several current publications. The report offers a number of recommendations and interesting ideas to strengthen the Welsh-language print media in the field of news and current affairs.

Following the commitment in 'One Wales’, I am delighted to announce today that the Welsh Assembly Government will provide £600,000 over the next three years to fulfil the commitment in 'One Wales’, that is, £200,000 a year until 2011. That is in addition to the £173,000 currently being spent by the Welsh Assembly Government, through the Welsh Books Council, on Welsh-medium news and current affairs publications. This additional funding will be a significant boost to the Welsh-language print media and will strengthen and extend the current provision. Any new developments in this sector will build on the good work undertaken by the publications discussed by Dr Bianchi in the report.

The Welsh Assembly Government’s support for Welsh-medium magazines and newspapers is channelled through the Welsh Books Council. Therefore, the Welsh Books Council should lead on these exciting developments facing the Welsh-language print media. I have asked the Welsh Books Council to invite applications from those interested in the field in relation to establishing a daily newspaper or new developments to strengthen the existing weekly news provision, with a view to strengthening the sector, including material on the internet. The books council will make a further announcement soon in relation to the timetable and the practical arrangements for applying for a grant. This will be a significant challenge to the industry and will generate interest, hopefully, across the sector.

I am confident that this announcement will lead to progressive bids that will offer innovative ways of operating, which could include partnerships or purposeful co-operation. It will be crucial that any developments in this field will not only be sustainable but will also lead to an increase in the number of people reading Welsh-language material, especially young people.

This early response to Dr Bianchi’s report is an indication of the Welsh Assembly Government’s continued support to the Welsh-language print media. The additional funding, which more than doubles the money available for such Welsh-language publications, will further develop the sector and fulfils the commitment in 'One Wales’.