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'Quick' newspaper decision call | 'Quick' newspaper decision call |
(20 minutes later) | |
There is not enough evidence for a viable Welsh-language daily newspaper says a review of the Welsh-medium press. | There is not enough evidence for a viable Welsh-language daily newspaper says a review of the Welsh-medium press. |
But the report for the Welsh Language Board stressed the need for a quick decision on whether public money should back the Y Byd newspaper venture. | But the report for the Welsh Language Board stressed the need for a quick decision on whether public money should back the Y Byd newspaper venture. |
Backers of the daily Y Byd (The World) told the review that it would fail without a decision on support soon. | Backers of the daily Y Byd (The World) told the review that it would fail without a decision on support soon. |
Welsh Language minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said he would study the review. | |
Mr Thomas announced the review during at the National Eisteddfod in August 2007. | Mr Thomas announced the review during at the National Eisteddfod in August 2007. |
He said it would help the Welsh Assembly Government fulfil the pledge in the coalition agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru to increase funding for Welsh-medium print "including the establishment of a Welsh-language daily newspaper". | He said it would help the Welsh Assembly Government fulfil the pledge in the coalition agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru to increase funding for Welsh-medium print "including the establishment of a Welsh-language daily newspaper". |
CASE STUDIES IN EUROPE La Nua, IrelandFlensborg Avis, DenmarkPromorski Dnevnik, ItalyBerria, Spain | CASE STUDIES IN EUROPE La Nua, IrelandFlensborg Avis, DenmarkPromorski Dnevnik, ItalyBerria, Spain |
Plans for Y Byd were unveiled last summer. Owners Dyddiol Cyf said it would aim to cover Welsh, UK and international news, attracting 5,000 subscribers for the launch in March. | Plans for Y Byd were unveiled last summer. Owners Dyddiol Cyf said it would aim to cover Welsh, UK and international news, attracting 5,000 subscribers for the launch in March. |
The review looked at La Nua, an Irish-language daily, which is part of the Belfast Media Group. | The review looked at La Nua, an Irish-language daily, which is part of the Belfast Media Group. |
The newspaper has two bases, Belfast and Donegal. It has money from a cross-border funding body, some £400,000 over two years since 2007. | The newspaper has two bases, Belfast and Donegal. It has money from a cross-border funding body, some £400,000 over two years since 2007. |
Belfast Media Group MG bears the financial loss. | Belfast Media Group MG bears the financial loss. |
Review author Dr Tony Bianchi examined Y Byd's assumption that people in Wales would buy two papers, for instance the Western Mail or a London-based newspaper and Y Byd. | Review author Dr Tony Bianchi examined Y Byd's assumption that people in Wales would buy two papers, for instance the Western Mail or a London-based newspaper and Y Byd. |
The review concludes, however, that there is no evidence for such an assumption and that people are actually buying fewer papers not more. | The review concludes, however, that there is no evidence for such an assumption and that people are actually buying fewer papers not more. |
Advertising | Advertising |
Y Byd's business plan is obviously sensitive but Dyddiol Cyf have given figures to the review. | Y Byd's business plan is obviously sensitive but Dyddiol Cyf have given figures to the review. |
The paper, they say, would be in the price range 70p-£1.20 and could sell more than 7,000 copies. | The paper, they say, would be in the price range 70p-£1.20 and could sell more than 7,000 copies. |
Y Byd needs £800,000 in advertising, half of that from the assembly government and wants grant aid in the first year of between £600,000 to a £1m. | Y Byd needs £800,000 in advertising, half of that from the assembly government and wants grant aid in the first year of between £600,000 to a £1m. |
There are figures on "grant per copy sold" of the weekly publications Golwg and Y Cymro and the Welsh language current affairs magazine, Barn. | There are figures on "grant per copy sold" of the weekly publications Golwg and Y Cymro and the Welsh language current affairs magazine, Barn. |
Interestingly, the figures show Y Cymro and Golwg sell more copies in Wales than The Independent. | Interestingly, the figures show Y Cymro and Golwg sell more copies in Wales than The Independent. |
The review supports the need for a daily Welsh-language newspaper with an online outlet but Dr Bianchi points out that getting it wrong and seeing a new paper start up and fail would be harmful to the whole sector. | The review supports the need for a daily Welsh-language newspaper with an online outlet but Dr Bianchi points out that getting it wrong and seeing a new paper start up and fail would be harmful to the whole sector. |
The review says that would be a disaster and must not be allowed to happen. | The review says that would be a disaster and must not be allowed to happen. |
Dr Bianchi concludes: "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." | Dr Bianchi concludes: "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." |
Culture and Welsh Language minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas called it an "interesting and thorough review" and said he would study it carefully before deciding on the next steps. | |
"The report offers a number of recommendations and suggestions for strengthening the sector and will, I hope provoke discussion within the sector, amongst publishers and Welsh speakers". |