New Welsh Communications Body welcomed as ‘historic step forward’

A new Communications Body will be established to pave the way for the devolution of broadcasting powers to Wales, the Welsh Government has announced today (Tuesday, 12th March). 

According to the government written statement, the new body will be responsible for ‘exploring plans for an alternative broadcasting and communications framework’ in readiness for the devolution of such powers.

The Communications Body will look at ‘an effective future governance structure for S4C’ as well as for other broadcasters in Wales, consider  how Ofcom’s role could be ‘strengthening Welsh democracy and take ‘forward targeted approaches and improve accountability’ in the field. 

The decision to create the new advisory body comes as a result of a commitment in the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

In July last year, an independent report drawn up by broadcaster Mel Dole and Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones recommended the establishment of a broadcasting body for Wales.

In its report published in January this year, the independent Constitutional Commission called for ‘mechanisms for a stronger voice for Wales on broadcasting policy, scrutiny and accountability, and robust work should continue on potential routes to devolution’.

The announcement was warmly welcomed by Heledd Fychan MS, Plaid Cymru's culture spokesperson. She said:

"This is a historic step forward towards gaining powers over broadcasting and communication for Wales. Today, decades of campaigning by so many people has borne fruit with this announcement of a new Communications and Broadcasting body. This is only happening because of Plaid Cymru's influence in the Senedd – bringing ambition and fairness to Wales in these policy areas which are so important to our whole nation.

"Establishing the new body is a positive and substantive response to the broad consensus that the current broadcasting and communication framework is failing us – hindering the democratic life of our nation as well as stymying our needs and ambition for the Welsh language. This new body will pave the way for the media that Wales needs, protecting us from the ongoing threats and attacks on public service broadcasting from successive UK governments."