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16 January 2008 (Click here for Welsh version)
Statement by Ned Thomas,
Chair, Dyddiol Cyf.
A Landmark Report
“The Bianchi Report will be seen as a landmark in the history of the Welsh language and the media in Wales” said Ned Thomas, Chair of Dyddiol Cyf, welcoming Dr Tony Bianchi's Survey of the Welsh Language Print Media, published on Monday 14 January. The report is now in the hands of the Minister for Heritage, Rhodri Glyn Thomas.
“It offers a sound analysis of the present undeveloped state of the Welsh-language press and makes recommendations which are positive not only for Y Byd but for the sector in general,” says Mr Thomas.
“We look forward to an early statement by the Minister for Heritage on the next steps in the process of delivering the Government's commitment to a Welsh daily newspaper in the One Wales document.
“Market research and international comparisons can only take one so far, as Dr Bianchi's report recognises. There comes a time when the redressing of uneven cultural development and construction of Welsh democracy requires political will and community effort.”
The full text of the Bianchi Report can be found on the Welsh Language Board's website.
The main recommendations relating to a daily newspaper in Welsh are copied below:
11.2 Welsh-language Daily Newspaper
The viability of a Welsh-language daily newspaper has not been fully demonstrated nor can it be fully demonstrated on the basis of market research or the performance of comparable initiatives elsewhere. Dyddiol Cyf.'s project is also very ambitious in terms of previous and current performance of Welsh-medium titles. However, it has made a strong case in principle, can point to high levels of interest across its target market, has exceeded its private investment target and offers a cost/benefit ratio broadly consonant with other minority language publications of similar scale. Its uniqueness may render its high ambitions achievable whilst at the same time making it very difficult to measure the probability of this success. It is generally agreed that a successful project can bring benefits to the whole sector; a compromised, half-hearted effort will cause it serious damage.
It is recommended
- that priority be given to ensuring adequate funding levels at the outset, in order to help the publisher maximise other revenues, particularly from subscriptions and advertising
- that any grant offered be based on the actual shortfall shown in the business plan which is finally approved by the Welsh Assembly Government
- that risks to the operation be controlled through prioritising the core newspaper (print and online) over supplements or other ancillary activities, and through urging partnership(s) through which risks might be shared
- that, subject to meeting general agreed conditions and targets, the greatest possible degree of flexibility be permitted in the publisher's management of any funds allocated
- that funding for a Welsh-language daily newspaper be calculated, ring-fenced and administered independently of any other expenditure in the sector
- that funding for a Welsh-language daily newspaper be disbursed and monitored through the Welsh Books Council, which is already equipped to oversee and assess support for Welsh-language print media
- that, in order to create a confident environment for investors, subscribers and staff, funding levels be indicated for no less than three years and preferably five years in the first instance.
ENDS
01970 621998 / neges@ybyd.com
