- A river runs through it part one - 17th August 2026
- Nigel Farrago - 14th August 2026
- Struck out - 14th August 2026
During 23 years with the BBC, and a 42 year journalistic career (when he was trained to use clear and simple language, avoiding jargon), for our Editor, Welshman Phil Parry, neutrality and non-state interference have always been paramount (with laws governing them before elections), but now comes disturbing information that the Welsh Government (WG) wants to set up a new broadcasting authority to “give Wales its voice”, yet critics fear it could lead to a state-controlled media, which may be compromised over investigations into mis-deeds by administrations.
It has always seemed fundamental to me.
Broadcasting or news outlets should NOT be state-controlled (the BBC has a separate licence fee to fund it, which is OUTSIDE government).
Otherwise how do you, as journalists, properly investigate wrong-doing at the state level?
Even if it is written down somewhere that although the body is state-controlled, absolute journalistic independence is assured, allowing you (ostensibly) to investigate ministerial misconduct, you would lay yourself open to the accusation that not all of the details had been uncovered (even if they had), because yours is a state organ.
I would suggest this also applies in relation to ‘news’ outlets which are funded, or part-funded, by government agencies, such as Nation.Cymru (NC).
In 2023 NC was confirmed as one of the recipients of The Books Council of Wales (BCW) English-language Cultural Periodicals Grant (CPG) for 2024–28. The grant is funded by the WG through Creative Wales.
The Eye take no money whatsoever from official sources, as I believe strongly that this would compromise our principles.
An extremely disturbing description about NC came on Wikipedia, which was that: “There is a wider feeling on social media sites where Nation articles are referenced that the website provides very narrow and subjective journalism. Many stories lack factual evidence and are regularly based on stretched concepts that seek to excite a perception of injustice to be directed at the wider UK Government and people of England”.
On Facebook (FB) it has been accused of: “…becoming a battering ram for extreme misguided information (and included) articles (which are designed) to stir up hatred in all….. instead of making us proud to be welsh”.
Another FB comment was: “It only takes a brief scan of this site to discover that it’s not what it claims to be. It’s Not a Welsh News outlet. This site is a biased Propaganda Outlet for Left Wing Independence activists and supporters. It’s not impartial or balanced in any way and it targets only a limited section of the Welsh public. An intolerant ‘Echo Chamber’ for Like minded people would be a far more accurate description”.
A further one was: “Nation.Cymru claims to be some sort of independent & impartial news service for the people of Wales. It is clearly nothing of the sort. Judging by the articles it has published to date it is nothing more that (sic) another “echo chamber” for those on the left of Welsh politics who dream of an independent Wales. It clearly ticks all the boxes for Chairman Drakeford (the First Minister of Wales at the time) Is that why NC has received public money from the Sennedd (sic) ????”.
These proclamations follow earlier criticism of NC on FB, with one detractor saying the site was “biased”. It does, though, appear to attract support in extremist circles, with comments about burning down holiday homes, and during the pandemic it was revealed that key workers’ property had been targeted.
NC has boosted the Welsh independence movement by saying, for example, “Support for Welsh independence has risen again”, because it was at 11 per cent whereas the previous year it was seven per cent.
I have recently had a conversation with a leading figure in NC who stressed that any information of a negative kind, for example, about the First Minister of Wales (FMW) Plaid Cymru’s (Plaid’s) Rhun ap Iorwerth WOULD be reported.
The problem with this is that even if it were true (and it is questionable to say the least!), you would STILL leave yourself open to accusations that some details had been held back.
I can appreciate that money may be a problem – but receiving cash from the state is surely not the way forward.
Even so – there are further moves in this direction.
Broadcasting and communications are reserved to Westminster, but Welsh ministers say the existing settlement “does not cater to the realities” of devolution in the UK, so they are to establish a ‘Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority’, which they proclaim will “use every lever available” to strengthen Wales’ media landscape.
Welsh Government (WG) Culture Minister Heledd Fychan said the plans for the new shadow broadcasting authority would help “protect and strengthen local and national public service media platforms in Wales”, stating that: “They are based on evidence that a UK-wide framework for broadcasting does not cater to the realities of how a devolved UK operates.
“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.
The new shadow broadcasting authority for Wales is not (in theory) full state control of the media, but the Welsh Government (WG) describes it as the “first step” towards its ambition in the sector, which is ominous, and the announcement has already caused political ructions.
The leader of the Welsh Conservatives (WC) Andrew RT Davies declared that it is “Wasting money”, and Reform UK have said Plaid should focus on improving health as well as education.
Creating a new ‘shadow’ broadcasting authority may, or may not, be a ‘waste’ of money, but it is certainly a slippery slope towards state control of the media.
It is important, I think, to leave journalists alone to investigate mistakes in government institutions or anywhere else.
How do you do this properly when you are taking cash from the WG?!
The memories of Phil’s astonishing decades-long award-winning career in journalism (during which political independence was paramount), as he was gripped by the rare neurological condition Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), have been released in a major book ‘A GOOD STORY’. Order the book now!
