Axing Welsh TV "a giant leap backwards for Wales" | "Who will keep the BBC on its toes?"

12.00.00am GMT Fri 26th Sep 2008

Welsh programming on ITV is set to be slashed after a 'green light' from the broadcasting regulator OFCOM.

Describing the decision as "a giant leap backwards", Michael German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said the decision to allow just an hour and half every week was "outrageous".

Mr. German, a leading Assembly Member, said: "This decision leaves Wales with a virtual BBC monopoly when it comes to serious current affairs. That is simply not good enough. Wales deserves hungry-to-compete television networks covering Welsh news and current affairs."

Speaking on ITV's public service obligation, Mr. German said that he wasn't quite sure exactly how ITV would be able to "cram in" all the developments in Wales in just 90 minutes. The bottom line for ITV is that they have a public service obligation.

"ITV Wales were pitching their new schedule - which already cut the amount of made-in-Wales current affairs programming - at around three hours a week. That was already a backwards step for the people of Wales. Ninety minutes is a giant leap backwards for devolution in the UK.

"Welsh devolution means we in Wales are doing things differently. I have plenty of examples of constituents who contact me about Health Service problems saying they have seen something on the news. What they have seen relates to England only. This confusion will develop as people increasingly get their news and information from a London based TV news."

Mr. German is convinced that without competition between TV networks, "there will be a real lack of challenge to keep BBC Wales on its toes. There's a danger that there won't be an alternative voice. The BBC does a great job of reporting Wales to its own people and the world beyond. But without competition, who will keep the BBC on its toes?"