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4 March 2008 (Click here for Welsh version)

News Release

The following is a translation of the original letter in Welsh sent by Ned Thomas, Chair of Dyddiol Cyf. to Geraint Evans, ITV Wales, Editor of the 5 February edition of Y Byd ar Bedwar:

Dear Geraint,

In response to the edition of Y Byd ar Bedwar broadcast on 5 February 2008, which focused on Dyddiol Cyf.'s plans to establish a daily newspaper in Welsh, a number of people have drawn our attention to a seriously misleading act of omission.

Aled Eirug and Marc Jones both expressed doubts about the plans to establish Y Byd. Marc Jones was billed as 'Journalist', and Aled Eirug as 'Former Head of News, BBC Wales.' This clearly gave the impression that both were speaking as impartial and independent experts.

We understand that Marc Jones is employed by Plaid Cymru, and that Aled Eirug is a Constitutional Consultant to the National Assembly for Wales, working with Dafydd Elis-Thomas. Had viewers been provided with this information, their interpretation of both men's comments might well have been rather different.

We have been advised to submit a formal complaint. However, if the misrepresentation and the resultant lack of balance were not deliberate, we should prefer you to have the opportunity to make a prominent correction in the next edition of Y Byd ar Bedwar so that any misunderstanding could be rapidly dispelled. Such a correction would be advantageous to the programme, as questions about your motives are already being raised amongst bloggers and in online chatrooms.

In order for the clarification to reach all viewers, we ask you to display a message in large print on the screen for a sufficient length of time, and for the message also to be read aloud.

We suggest the following wording:

During the 5 February edition of Y Byd ar Bedwar, Marc Jones and Aled Eirug were interviewed about the plans to set up the daily Welsh newspaper, Y Byd. We ought to have noted that Marc Jones is currently employed by Plaid Cymru and that Aled Eirug is a Constitutional Consultant working for Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

We would be willing to discuss the precise wording, as long as the message remains absolutely clear. I can be contacted today on 01970 625358 or 01970 622990, or through the office on 01970 621998.

Yours sincerely,
Ned Thomas Chair, Dyddiol Cyf.

DIWEDD

01970 621998 / neges@ybyd.com