The economy, they say, is recovering. Really?
The Health Service is in dire straits.
Care Services are frightening.
Education, according to Pisa, is in a shocking state.
The councils are in the dark, worried about their futures.
Welsh Rugby – well – what a shambles.
And our treasure – the Language? It has a vital place in each of the above issues, but let’s not talk too much about that, especially on English language programmes.
Wednesday 22 January. An evening watching BBC television.
This is the week’s high point for political programming in Wales, with BBC Cymru Wales’ weekly programmes appearing on BBC1 and S4C.
Wales Today
- The highest numbers in employment for 22 years
- The care sector crisis.
- Peace in the world of rugby (short-lived).
Newyddion 9
- Unemployment down.
- Risks to Welsh-medium education in Merthyr.
- An agreement of sorts in rugby.
- Demands for a Wales version of Newsnight and a similar nightly programme on S4C (BBC Wales states it already has weekly programmes to discuss politics).
Y Sgwrs
- The Williams Commission and the future of our county councils
- The number of public bodies in Wales – 935!
Wales Report
- Home Care Crisis – 94% of carers are unregistered. Frightening.
- Tax powers and how to boost the economy.
- The Assembly Llywydd says the news media needs to be strengthened. The item’s presenter says the government’s decisions need to face more scrutiny – hear, hear! (But nothing about the campaign to establish Newsnight Wales/Cymru – disappointing.)
NEWSNIGHT
- Unemployment down, but what about workers’ standards of living? An item with money behind it.
- Peace talks in Syria.
- Lord Rennard – four women discussing sex pests. Interesting.
- Banning khat – the drug leaf used in the Somali community – an item that goes deep into the story.
As usual, nothing from Wales. They could have come to the strong Somali community in Cardiff. Scotland, of course, has Newsnight Scotland.
By now, BBC Wales viewers should be familiar with every nook and cranny of Wales, with so many celebs having walked it, sailed its shores, climbed its mountains... But how much do viewers really know about the people in the Bay who affect their everyday lives?
For years, I have been among a small group of “media types” that has called for a Newsnight Cymru programme on S4C. At least as Welsh speakers we have the occasional opportunity to voice our opinions on debating programme “Pawb a’i Farn”. On Radio Cymru, “Manylu” often does a good job investigating news stories. But these programmes, and the news, are very different – they can’t scrutinise events in Cardiff Bay on a daily basis. Which means politicians have an easy ride and can avoid being accountable for their decisions.
The vast majority of people don’t use their vote in Assembly elections and referenda. Who can blame them? Many in Wales have no idea what they are voting for, because there isn’t enough discussion about the government and its actions.
First of all, we need nightly programmes that question and challenge the politicians to raise awareness. Then the electorate will come to understand the importance of our involvement in the future of the country.
If only in the name of democracy, there is a pressing need for Newsnight Wales/Cymru.
Cardi living in Cardiff since the dawn of time. One of those with a “degree in Welsh”.
Work – media type since the early 70s
Important things – the future of Wales the nation, and the language. Care services too.
Strength – seeing things as they are.
Weakness – a tendency to lose heart.