AM concern at Media Wales announcement

CLWYD SOUTH AM KEN SKATES has expressed his concern at the proposed job losses and restructuring at Media Wales.

The AM who recently chaired an Assembly Task and Finish Group into the future of the Media in Wales said plans to cut 16 editorial jobs and outsource content to a new centre in Liverpool was devastating news.

He said Media Wales papers like the Western Mail were ‘part of the Welsh DNA’ and that continually cutting resources to national and local titles would damage Welsh democracy.

CLWYD SOUTH AM KEN SKATES AM said:

“Trinity Mirror’s announcement that 16 editorial jobs are to be lost at Media Wales is very worrying indeed.

“I understand one of the proposals is to close down the features department and create a unit based in Liverpool to produce generic content for a Welsh audience.  This will only serve to damage the unique Welsh identity and flavour of the paper.

“Unfortunately this is part of wider problem in print journalism and we have seen a slow drip of editorial cuts at Media Wales titles and other established newsprint groups over the last 10 years.

“This is particularly worrying for Wales because papers like the Western Mail are part of the Welsh DNA.  The steady erosion of a vital platform for unique Welsh journalism and the loss of good people at important papers should be a concern to us all.

“The Management at Trinity Mirror needs to enter into serious negotiations with the NUJ.

“We should be under no illusions, cuts like these are steadily damaging Welsh democracy.  If we stand by and let the national, regional and local printed press in Wales wither on the vine, then scrutiny of our politics and our public life will be much the poorer.”