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Welsh language broadcasting 'has never mattered more' First Minister's concern over Welsh broadcasting funding
(about 3 hours later)
Welsh language broadcasting packs a "real punch" and its role in sustaining culture is growing, BBC Wales' director will tell the National Eisteddfod. The UK government does not care about Welsh language broadcasting, First Minister Carwyn Jones has said.
Rhodri Talfan Davies will make his first speech since the UK government published a Green Paper on the future of the BBC. He said it was "difficult" to see how Welsh broadcasting will be funded after a UK government green paper was published on the BBC's future.
He will say Welsh language broadcasting has "never mattered more". It comes as BBC Wales' director Rhodri Talfan Davies will tell the National Eisteddfod how Welsh broadcasting has "never mattered more".
Mr Davies will also say fast-changing media habits will demand a "new rulebook". He is due to say "the case for public investment has never been clearer."
In July, the UK government launched its consultation paper on the future of the BBC with a "root-and-branch" review of the corporation as it heads towards charter renewal in 2016.
Since then, concern has been raised about how the Welsh language broadcasters would be funded.
Speaking on BBC Radio Cymru's Rhaglen Dylan Jones on Monday, the first minister said there needed to be an "element of certainty" that the future of TV channel S4C and and BBC Radio Cymru was secure.
"I don't think that they [UK government] care at all about Welsh medium broadcasting," he said.
"They haven't considered S4C at all when deciding that the BBC should fund the Welsh language channel. It's difficult at the moment [to tell] how Welsh language broadcasting will be funded in the future."
At the moment the BBC Trust provides a large proportion of Welsh channel S4C's funding, with £76.3m paid in 2013-2014.
Mr Jones said it would be difficult for broadcasting to become a devolved matter.
Radically different
"I'm sure that they would be very happy in London (UK government) for us to be responsible for Welsh Language broadcasting... but they would not provide the money needed for this".
The UK government has been asked to respond.
The comments come as the director of BBC Wales is set to deliver his first speech since the UK government launched its consultation into the BBC's future, with culture secretary John Whittingdale saying "hard questions" had to be asked about the corporation "scale and scope".
Mr Davies will say on Monday that Welsh language broadcasting's role in sustaining culture is growing and fast-changing media habits will demand a "new rulebook".
"The case for the public investment that supports it has never been clearer," he will say."The case for the public investment that supports it has never been clearer," he will say.
"So let's not slip into an arid economic determinism that ignores the profundity of what is at stake."So let's not slip into an arid economic determinism that ignores the profundity of what is at stake.
"The new world is radically different. It is us that must weave ourselves into our audiences' lives, not vice versa. We have to be where they are - and not expect them to search us out."The new world is radically different. It is us that must weave ourselves into our audiences' lives, not vice versa. We have to be where they are - and not expect them to search us out.
"We have to inspire them to turn to the Welsh language - and never assume that they'll turn to us by default. In short, we have to take the language on a journey to our audience.""We have to inspire them to turn to the Welsh language - and never assume that they'll turn to us by default. In short, we have to take the language on a journey to our audience."
Mr Davies will say digital services including the new BBC News app, iPlayer and BBC Cymru Fyw - and the broadcaster's partnership with S4C - each has a crucial role to play.Mr Davies will say digital services including the new BBC News app, iPlayer and BBC Cymru Fyw - and the broadcaster's partnership with S4C - each has a crucial role to play.
He will also describe BBC Wales' "real progress" in giving greater prominence to the language and Welsh language communities through programmes shown on BBC One such as Hinterland, Country Midwives, Make Me Welsh, Patagonia, Welsh Heartland and Hill Farm.He will also describe BBC Wales' "real progress" in giving greater prominence to the language and Welsh language communities through programmes shown on BBC One such as Hinterland, Country Midwives, Make Me Welsh, Patagonia, Welsh Heartland and Hill Farm.
Mr Davies will also urge people to speak up to ensure Welsh language services secure a strong foothold in the internet world, remaining "relevant, valued and used".Mr Davies will also urge people to speak up to ensure Welsh language services secure a strong foothold in the internet world, remaining "relevant, valued and used".
And he will underline the importance of the current review of the BBC's Royal Charter to the future of Welsh broadcasting.And he will underline the importance of the current review of the BBC's Royal Charter to the future of Welsh broadcasting.
"There is simply too much at stake in this charter review. Get it wrong, and we could see public funding reserved solely for a narrow range of rather niche programmes that commercial companies wouldn't be interested in making," he will say."There is simply too much at stake in this charter review. Get it wrong, and we could see public funding reserved solely for a narrow range of rather niche programmes that commercial companies wouldn't be interested in making," he will say.
"The BBC would become a sort of creative 'Polyfilla' - there to fill the gaps left by the market. The result, in time, could be to slowly dismantle the BBC and with it the broadcasting system here in Wales too.""The BBC would become a sort of creative 'Polyfilla' - there to fill the gaps left by the market. The result, in time, could be to slowly dismantle the BBC and with it the broadcasting system here in Wales too."