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Campaigners have called for broadcasting to be devolved to allow three Welsh language TV channels, three radio stations and two multimedia news services to be set up.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg has put forward an ambitious case for tripling the number of Welsh language services in a policy paper on devolving broadcasting to Wales.

The pressure group has put forward the policy document over fears that funding for S4C could be cut later this year.

The channel is answerable to the Westminster Government’s Department of Culture Media and Sport which last year announced it was going to protect it’s funding.

But Cymdeithas want broadcasting to be devolved from London to Cardiff to allow Welsh language services to be expanded.

'We need a big leap forward for the media'

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It wants the S4C Authority to become a Broadcasting Authority for Wales to replace the current regualtor Ofcom.

Cymdeithas chair Heledd Gwyndaf said: “We really need a big leap forward for the media in Wales - at the moment we are stuck far behind the Basque Country and Catalonia. The latest threat to cut S4C’s budget proves once again that there’s no way we can trust Ministers in London - they don’t give two hoots about Wales not to mention the Welsh language.

"They are going to destroy the Welsh media if things don’t change - devolving broadcasting to Wales is now an urgent priority.”

She added: “On top of that, Ofcom has failed to serve Wales and the Welsh language. So, we argue that the S4C Authority should be transformed and expanded into a Broadcasting Authority for Wales which would replace Ofcom.

'The case for devolving broadcasting is a strong one'

"The remit, duties and powers of the new body would include promoting and normalising the Welsh language on every media platform (including Netflix and Amazon Prime), with powers to set quotas for Welsh language output on commercial radio and local television. It would also have a duty to promote community media. And the new expanded S4C would produce its own news or commission Welsh language companies to provide it.”

The UK Government has said that a debate about devolving broadcasting is “inevitably” going to be part of the S4C review to be held later this year.

Miss Gwyndaf added: “The case for devolving broadcasting is a very strong one and professionals in the industry admit this. The powers are devolved in other small nations, where they have used them for the benefit of minoritised languages. We have an opportunity, through the S4C review, to begin to take steps toward a new shape of the media in Wales by devolving the system.

"That’s why we are launching our paper today in Bangor - to spur the far-reaching discussion that’s needed in order to normalise the Welsh language on every media platform.”

Cymdeithas are holding a series of meetings, in Caernarfon, Cardiff and Carmarthen, about the review of S4C asking for the public’s view and expert opinion on their proposals.