Welsh government launches shadow authority to seek broadcasting powers
The Welsh government has announced a working group to provide advice on the potential establishment of a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority. The move follows expert recommendations but has been criticized by opposition parties in the Senedd.
The Welsh government has formally announced the establishment of a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority, a move ministers describe as the first step toward securing devolved powers over the sector. While broadcasting and communications remain reserved matters under the jurisdiction of the UK government in Westminster, the Welsh administration contends that the current constitutional framework fails to account for the practical realities of a devolved United Kingdom.
According to Heledd Fychan, the Minister for Culture and Sport, the government intends to use every lever at its disposal to strengthen the Nation's media landscape. The Minister stated that these plans were not developed in isolation, noting that they follow recommendations from an expert panel, the Institute of Welsh Affairs, and the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales.
Media additions
To support the preliminary stages of this project, the government has allocated £45,000 from the Creative Wales budget for the current financial year. Rather than creating the new authority immediately, the government will first convene a Shadow Broadcasting and Communications Authority Working Group. This group is tasked with providing advice on the authority’s proposed structure, legal status, remit, and necessary engagement strategies. A recruitment campaign for members of this working group is set to begin in September, with the government aiming to have appointments finalized by the end of the year.
The operational timeline for the project suggests that the working group will hold its first meeting early in 2027. Following this, the group is expected to deliver a report containing detailed recommendations by early 2028. The government aims to confirm the formal arrangements for the shadow authority later in the spring of 2028.
Minister Fychan highlighted that the push for a stronger voice in broadcasting was motivated by recent policies, such as the UK government’s Local Media Fund, which she argued were shaped and implemented without meaningful input from Wales. Supporters of the move, including the digital group of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, have welcomed the announcement, citing the urgent need for a dedicated body to prepare for the potential devolution of broadcasting and communication funding.
The proposal faces significant opposition within the Senedd. Paul Davies, the Conservative shadow minister for culture, stated that the government was
on an area that falls outside the current scope of devolved powers. He further questioned the government’s lack of clarity regarding the total projected cost of the authority and the specific practical improvements it would deliver for the public."wasting time and taxpayers’ money"
Louise Emery, the Reform shadow culture minister, dismissed the initiative as a
and urged the government to refocus its efforts on existing responsibilities such as healthcare and education. The Conservative party has clarified its opposition to the general concept of devolving broadcasting powers, arguing that ministers should concentrate on current public service obligations."wasted exercise"
The ambition to gain control over broadcasting was a component of Plaid Cymru’s manifesto during the recent Senedd election. This development follows a period of historical debate; the Senedd Culture Committee previously published a report on public service broadcasting that also advocated for the devolution of powers. While the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport holds responsibility for national broadcasting policy, it has been invited to respond to the Welsh government's announcement.
