The latest news from the campaign...
31 March 2014
Carwyn Jones: ‘Definitely’ a case for a Welsh version of Newsnight
The Newsnight Cymru campaign has welcomed an announcement by the First Minister of Wales today that there is “definitely” a case for Wales to have a Welsh version of Newsnight as a mirror for the Newsnight Scotland programme that already exists on BBC2 Scotland. Carwyn Jones’ statement of support was made at a News Academy event. Following the support of the First Minister, the campaign has now attracted support from Wales’ four main political parties.
Siân Beynon Powell from the Newsnight Cymru campaign said:
“We welcome the support given to the Newsnight Cymru campaign by the First Minister today. The statement means there is a consensus among the parties that there is a clear need for such a programme in Wales in order to give the electorate the opportunity to scrutinize all the decisions made about Wales. ”
Notes:
Newsnight Scotland has existed in Scotland since the beginning of devolution, a twenty minute slot from Monday to Thursday discussing politics and current affairs relevant to Scotland. The Newsnight Cymru campaign calls for the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales as a mirror for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2 and a similar Newsnight Cymru programme in Welsh on S4C.
The Newsnight Cymru campaign has welcomed an announcement by the First Minister of Wales today that there is “definitely” a case for Wales to have a Welsh version of Newsnight as a mirror for the Newsnight Scotland programme that already exists on BBC2 Scotland. Carwyn Jones’ statement of support was made at a News Academy event. Following the support of the First Minister, the campaign has now attracted support from Wales’ four main political parties.
Siân Beynon Powell from the Newsnight Cymru campaign said:
“We welcome the support given to the Newsnight Cymru campaign by the First Minister today. The statement means there is a consensus among the parties that there is a clear need for such a programme in Wales in order to give the electorate the opportunity to scrutinize all the decisions made about Wales. ”
Notes:
Newsnight Scotland has existed in Scotland since the beginning of devolution, a twenty minute slot from Monday to Thursday discussing politics and current affairs relevant to Scotland. The Newsnight Cymru campaign calls for the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales as a mirror for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2 and a similar Newsnight Cymru programme in Welsh on S4C.
22 January 2014
Newsnight Cymru: New Campaign Aims to Deal with Democratic Deficit
A new campaign is aiming to lobby for specific BBC Newsnight programming for Wales.
Newsnight Cymru is launched today (22.1.14) by campaigners who are calling for the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales as a mirror for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2, as well as providing a Newsnight Cymru programme in Welsh on S4C, Mondays to Thursdays.
The campaign has said that as well as aiming to win fairer representation for Welsh politics on the BBC, it will highlight the general democratic deficit in Wales as well as the fact that fifteen years into devolution there remains a distinct lack of scrutiny of political decisions made about Wales.
Today the campaigners officially launch www.newsnightcymru.com, inviting people from across Wales and beyond to contribute blog posts and sign a petition calling on the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales and Newsnight Cymru programmes. As well as establishing an online presence as a starting point, the group will seek to influence key decision-makers over the next year.
Spokesperson on behalf of the campaign, Mabon ap Gwynfor said:
"Wales is going through a period of political change, having recently gained law-making powers after the 2011 referendum, and with a new Draft Wales Bill being published at Westminster that could grant tax-varying and borrowing powers. All of these changes will affect our daily lives and how we experience life as Welsh citizens.
"There is a risk that these changes will pass people by completely. A ‘democratic deficit’ has been identified in Wales. There is a clear disconnect between politics and the people. Fifteen years into devolution, we think it is time for Welsh political programming to be raised to a similar level as Scotland.
"Programmes like Newsnight are not necessarily aimed at the mass public, but are a central part of the political debate in Scotland and England. At the moment, if an interested person in Wales wants to find out about their country’s politics, there are only a handful of television programmes and it is quite hard to find out what’s going on. We are encouraged by the quality of the programming out there but not its variety. It’s time to build a consensus for a Welsh Newsnight in both of our languages."
Sian Beynon Powell added:
"Newsnight is a trusted brand and the issues it covers often filter down to the general public through newspapers and online. What we’re talking about in this campaign is getting the Welsh dimension properly covered by a trusted and popular brand. Welsh politics will benefit greatly from further scrutiny as politicians become more accountable and accessible.
"We already have the expertise and talent to deliver these programmes. Welsh broadcasting has a good reputation. We hope that the Newsnight Cymru website will also start the discussion about the need for a dedicated Question Time style programme for Wales, in the English language to match Pawb a’i Farn on S4C. Welsh politics shouldn’t be hidden away as a niche interest."
A new campaign is aiming to lobby for specific BBC Newsnight programming for Wales.
Newsnight Cymru is launched today (22.1.14) by campaigners who are calling for the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales as a mirror for Newsnight Scotland on BBC2, as well as providing a Newsnight Cymru programme in Welsh on S4C, Mondays to Thursdays.
The campaign has said that as well as aiming to win fairer representation for Welsh politics on the BBC, it will highlight the general democratic deficit in Wales as well as the fact that fifteen years into devolution there remains a distinct lack of scrutiny of political decisions made about Wales.
Today the campaigners officially launch www.newsnightcymru.com, inviting people from across Wales and beyond to contribute blog posts and sign a petition calling on the BBC to establish Newsnight Wales and Newsnight Cymru programmes. As well as establishing an online presence as a starting point, the group will seek to influence key decision-makers over the next year.
Spokesperson on behalf of the campaign, Mabon ap Gwynfor said:
"Wales is going through a period of political change, having recently gained law-making powers after the 2011 referendum, and with a new Draft Wales Bill being published at Westminster that could grant tax-varying and borrowing powers. All of these changes will affect our daily lives and how we experience life as Welsh citizens.
"There is a risk that these changes will pass people by completely. A ‘democratic deficit’ has been identified in Wales. There is a clear disconnect between politics and the people. Fifteen years into devolution, we think it is time for Welsh political programming to be raised to a similar level as Scotland.
"Programmes like Newsnight are not necessarily aimed at the mass public, but are a central part of the political debate in Scotland and England. At the moment, if an interested person in Wales wants to find out about their country’s politics, there are only a handful of television programmes and it is quite hard to find out what’s going on. We are encouraged by the quality of the programming out there but not its variety. It’s time to build a consensus for a Welsh Newsnight in both of our languages."
Sian Beynon Powell added:
"Newsnight is a trusted brand and the issues it covers often filter down to the general public through newspapers and online. What we’re talking about in this campaign is getting the Welsh dimension properly covered by a trusted and popular brand. Welsh politics will benefit greatly from further scrutiny as politicians become more accountable and accessible.
"We already have the expertise and talent to deliver these programmes. Welsh broadcasting has a good reputation. We hope that the Newsnight Cymru website will also start the discussion about the need for a dedicated Question Time style programme for Wales, in the English language to match Pawb a’i Farn on S4C. Welsh politics shouldn’t be hidden away as a niche interest."