Wales is a nation and has all the characteristics of one. One of the very recent additions to our national characteristics has been having our own democratic institution, our own parliament.
There is one characteristic that has remained stubbornly difficult to establish in our country however; a vibrant and widely-engaged platform for Welsh politics in the media.
That is not to say that individual journalists and our small print media in Wales do not work tirelessly to scrutinise politicians and present the political issues of the day to Welsh citizens. Indeed, it is widely acknowledged that Wales’ unique position among the nations of Britain as a country where most citizens read newspapers edited and printed outside the country has been a difficult structural anomaly to overcome.
Wales’ relationship with print media is long-standing of course and harks back to the days when proximity to the printing presses dictated the newspapers available on newsstands; the length of the railway line was a greater consideration than the depth of the national consciousness.
All the more reason therefore for us to take every opportunity to engage with the citizens of Wales.
That is why I fully support the Newsnight Cymru campaign.
There is little doubt that Welsh current affairs and scrutiny of those in power in Wales requires further strengthening – after all, it has been generally accepted that Wales suffers from a ‘democratic deficit’ in which the people are made to feel distant from the National Assembly for Wales due to media coverage not being what it should be. That is a big problem for our democracy.
Technological advances of course make it possible to share links to programming through social media and innovations like the BBC’s i-player make it possible for viewers to engage with programming in the most flexible ways.
A Newsnight Cymru segment would instantly become a flagship programme in Welsh political TV listings. It would add greater status to Welsh democracy and crucially would address key issues from the point of view of Welsh citizens. I am also of the view that increased, high quality scrutiny of our politicians would raise their game too.
What is being suggested by the Newsnight Cymru Campaign is entirely reasonable. After all, our Scottish friends already have their own Newsnight segment. When allied to their strong print sector, you could never argue that democracy in Scotland is worse for these extra layers of scrutiny.
Sure, it may sometimes provide uncomfortable moments for those who hold the levers of power but that is part of the deal in any thriving democracy.
What is being demanded is equality. If not for our licence fee-payers (who pay the same for their license as Scots) then for the sake of national equality.