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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Grant call for newspaper channels | Grant call for newspaper channels |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Grants could be provided to set up a series of "super local" television and radio channels run by newspapers in Wales, according to a Labour AM. | Grants could be provided to set up a series of "super local" television and radio channels run by newspapers in Wales, according to a Labour AM. |
| Huw Lewis said assembly government funding may help Wales become a centre of excellence for journalism. | Huw Lewis said assembly government funding may help Wales become a centre of excellence for journalism. |
| He said it would not take a "huge amount of money" but could create and safeguard jobs at local papers and improve the coverage of news. | He said it would not take a "huge amount of money" but could create and safeguard jobs at local papers and improve the coverage of news. |
| The assembly government is considering a response to his ideas. | The assembly government is considering a response to his ideas. |
| Speaking to Labour Party members in Flintshire, the AM who sits on the assembly's enterprise committee, said around 12 local digital television channels could be funded by an "arm's length" government body. | |
| Many newspapers in Wales have shed staff in the past 18 months while workers are subject to pay-freezes. | Many newspapers in Wales have shed staff in the past 18 months while workers are subject to pay-freezes. |
| Earlier this year the National Union of Journalists warned the newspaper industry in Wales was "in crisis" while giving evidence to the assembly's broadcasting committee. | Earlier this year the National Union of Journalists warned the newspaper industry in Wales was "in crisis" while giving evidence to the assembly's broadcasting committee. |
| Mr Lewis made the arguement while addressing Labour Party members | Mr Lewis made the arguement while addressing Labour Party members |
| Mr Lewis said: "Wales is perfectly set up to become a centre of excellence for journalism, and yet everywhere we look we see local papers struggling and axing staff, or else ITV are forcing through drastic cut backs. | Mr Lewis said: "Wales is perfectly set up to become a centre of excellence for journalism, and yet everywhere we look we see local papers struggling and axing staff, or else ITV are forcing through drastic cut backs. |
| "Even flagship papers like the Western Mail, South Wales Argus, Daily Post and the Echo - they are all looking to make savings and are losing skilled staff as a result. | "Even flagship papers like the Western Mail, South Wales Argus, Daily Post and the Echo - they are all looking to make savings and are losing skilled staff as a result. |
| "I have long argued that during this recession we should not be asking 'what do we need to cut?' - we should be asking, 'what do we need to save?' | "I have long argued that during this recession we should not be asking 'what do we need to cut?' - we should be asking, 'what do we need to save?' |
| "High up that list has to be a plural media." | "High up that list has to be a plural media." |
| He said it was an essential element to any democracy and culture. | He said it was an essential element to any democracy and culture. |
| "Politicians might not always like what journalists have to say, but we recognise that without a proper media, corruption and mistrust is much more likely," he added. | "Politicians might not always like what journalists have to say, but we recognise that without a proper media, corruption and mistrust is much more likely," he added. |
| "You only have to look at examples like Channel M in Manchester to see that newspaper groups can run excellent and successful TV news and produce top quality programming. | "You only have to look at examples like Channel M in Manchester to see that newspaper groups can run excellent and successful TV news and produce top quality programming. |
| 'Important industry' | 'Important industry' |
| "There's no reason we should not emulate that across Wales. | "There's no reason we should not emulate that across Wales. |
| "It would not take a huge amount of money for the Welsh Assembly Government to provide say a dozen start-up grants for this kind of modern news service." | "It would not take a huge amount of money for the Welsh Assembly Government to provide say a dozen start-up grants for this kind of modern news service." |
| Mr Lewis said Wales was a step ahead of the rest of the UK in introducing grants for local media, because the government already funded S4C. | Mr Lewis said Wales was a step ahead of the rest of the UK in introducing grants for local media, because the government already funded S4C. |
| "In many ways the argument has already been won in Wales," he added. | "In many ways the argument has already been won in Wales," he added. |
| "The media is already an important industry for the Welsh economy. | "The media is already an important industry for the Welsh economy. |
| "Now we must be imaginative... then we could attract even more of the best journalism students and talent from across the world." | "Now we must be imaginative... then we could attract even more of the best journalism students and talent from across the world." |
| The assembly government has been asked for a response to Mr Lewis's speech. | The assembly government has been asked for a response to Mr Lewis's speech. |