MPs' concern for S4C independence

The Commons Welsh Affairs Committee has insisted that the Government must ensure the operational and financial independence of S4C - the Welsh language broadcaster - under the proposed deepened partnership with the BBC.

In their new report, published on 11 May, the Committee also expressed concern that the focus on Welsh-language programming could be lost.

The report states: “We are concerned that the BBC, a national broadcaster and much larger organisation than S4C, will not necessarily have the particular interests of Welsh language programming as its primary focus. We note the possibility that under any new structure, S4C's distinctive voice will go unheard. We call on the Government and BBC to guarantee publicly that S4C remain solely a Welsh language broadcaster.”

The report continues: “We recommend that under any partnership made between the BBC and S4C, careful thought needs to be applied to any role played by the BBC Trust, to ensure that S4C's editorial and managerial independence is not compromised. We call on the Government to consider the appointment to the S4C Authority of individuals of sufficient independence and stature. Under any future management structure that is put in place, the management team responsible for the day to day operation of the channel, should comprise only S4C personnel.”

The Chair of the Committee, David T.C. Davies MP, added: “We are determined that S4C maintain its central position in the Welsh economy, commissioning more quality and popular programming from Welsh independent production companies, providing only Welsh language services and reaching a greater share of the approximately 600,000 Welsh speakers in the United Kingdom. In this new phase for S4C we want to see an increased focus on efficiency and improved audience figures for S4C’s output. We note that S4C itself recognises that it must raise its game in these areas.”