Welsh government unveils 'first step' towards broadcasting powers

The Welsh government has renewed calls for control over broadcasting, unveiling what it describes as the "first step" towards its ambition to "give Wales its voice" in the sector.

Broadcasting and communications are reserved to Westminster, but Plaid Cymru ministers say the existing settlement "does not cater to the realities" of devolution in the UK.

Welsh ministers will establish a "Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority", which they say will "use every lever available" to protect and strengthen Wales' media landscape.

Reform said Plaid should focus on improving health and education, the Conservatives accused the Welsh government of wasting time and taxpayers' money.

The move was part of Plaid Cymru's manifesto at the recent Senedd election.

Welsh government culture minister Heledd Fychan said a new "shadow" broadcasting authority would help "protect and strengthen local and national public service media platforms in Wales".

Announcing the plans, she said they had "not been developed in isolation".

"They are based on evidence that a UK-wide framework for broadcasting does not cater to the realities of how a devolved UK operates," she said.

"The Welsh government is not a lone voice. We have heard calls from organisations such as the Institute of Welsh Affairs and through the work of the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales that Wales needs a stronger voice on broadcasting and communications matters."

Calls for greater Welsh influence over broadcasting have previously attracted cross-party backing in the Senedd.

Politicians have also raised concerns about how Welsh politics is covered by broadcasters.

Fychan said recent developments had "only reinforced the need to use every lever available to protect and improve broadcasting and communications in Wales".

"The UK government's Local Media Fund is the latest example of plans agreed for and about us, where we have no role in how those plans are shaped and implemented," she said.

"These plans mark the first step in pressing for the devolution of powers over broadcasting, to strengthen Wales' media and to give Wales its voice in broadcasting and communications matters," she added.

Welsh ministers hope the shadow authority will be operational by 2028.

A working group will be established later this year with a budget of £45,000.

UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for broadcasting policy, has been asked to respond to the announcement.

Reform shadow culture minister Louise Emery, said: "Broadcasting is not devolved to the Senedd; therefore, this is another wasted exercise when Plaid could be focusing on the day job improving health and education in Wales.

"We in Reform UK Wales think this plan should be scrapped and the minister should get on with other more important issues relating to culture."

Paul Davies, who speaks for the Welsh Conservative on culture, said Welsh ministers were "wasting time and taxpayers' money" in "an area that isn't even devolved, while the issues people actually care about are being neglected".

"The Welsh government has already committed £45,000 to this project, but this is just the start," he said.

"Ministers have failed to explain what the total cost will be, how much more public money will be spent or what practical difference this body will make."