A petition calling for an independent review into how the BBC portrays the Welsh language has been set up after Newsnight were accused of making “journalistic fools” of themselves on the issue.

Newsnight ran a segment asking “is the Welsh language a help or hindrance to the nation” and invited author Julian Ruck, who has published a number of articles attacking funding for the Welsh language, to contribute.

No Welsh speakers took part in the discussion.

Ynys Môn’s Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth said that Newsnight has “just made journalistic fools of yourselves getting this man [Julian Ruck] on to speak about Welsh language. He just hates it. End of”.

The petition, begun by digital business consultant Huw Marshall, says that a review would be able to establish if there was an issue with regards to how the Welsh language is portrayed, and to “assess what editorial systems are in place to ensure editorial fairness”.

Concerns have been growing about the BBC’s attitude to the Welsh language following a number of critical articles before the National Eisteddfod over the past few years.

The Welsh language has also recently come under attack in articles in the Guardian and the Times.

The petition can be signed here.