Activists on day ‘hunger strike’ in devolved-broadcasting bid
MORE than a dozen people have gone on hunger strike for a day because they want Wales to have control over broadcasting. Their action, which started yesterday, comes as the report of an independent review of S4C is to be released. It is due to consider, among other issues, whether the responsibility for S4C should be devolved from Westminster to the Assembly.
A petition with more than 1,000 names calling for powers to be moved from London to Cardiff was presented during the review.
In 2013 the Silk Commission – a cross-party review commissioned by the UK government – concluded that control over its financial contribution to S4C should be transferred to the Welsh Government.
More than 50 people are refusing to pay for their TV licence as part of campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s lobby to devolve broadcasting.
Among the group of 14 campaigners who will not be eating for 24 hours is farmer Elfed Wyn Jones, from Trawsfynydd.
The 20-year-old said: “Given the absence of Welsh on commercial radio, local television, and the serious cuts to S4C and lack of Welsh content in the media, it is clear that London does not control the media for the benefit of the people of Wales.
“Decisions on the media in Wales need to be made by people of Wales. The vast majority of the people of Wales are in favour of that and there is a cross-party consensus for devolving some responsibility.
“It is time to devolve power over broadcasting, not only for the benefit of the Welsh language, but for the wider benefit of Welsh democracy.”
Aled Powell, from Wrexham, chairman of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s digital campaigns group, is also fasting.
He said: “There will be no fair play for the Welsh language or Wales if broadcasting continues to be managed by London. It is also clear that there is a significant democratic deficit in Wales.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “Broadcasting is an issue that transcends geographical boundaries and so it is right that it is the responsibility of Parliament and the UK Government. The Silk Commission recommended that the regulation of broadcasting should remain the responsibility of the UK Government given the UK-wide nature of the broadcasting market.”