Tuesday 13 August 2013

Why the Welsh have vision over our media, but some of their politicians don't

The people have spoken.
Yet, like Cnut trying to turn the tide, some Cardiff Bay and Westminster politicians still believe the great unwashed (AKA the Welsh voters) are still wrong to want the Welsh to regulate Welsh media.
I'm surprised some of them are not claiming a statistical error in the Silk Commission survey as a reason why Welsh people apparently want a devolution of Welsh media regulation. 
By the way, these are the same politicians that bemoan the "democratic deficit" in coverage of Welsh politics and hold worthy seminars about how it might be resolved, without resolving it. 
The answer to that problem is simple -if you want a voice, do want you can to make it heard. That is what the Welsh people want. They want regulation of our media devolved to Cardiff Bay because Westminster does not understand that Wales has different needs. 
If broadcasting regulation was devolved to Cardiff Bay, there would be far more local news and Welsh voices on local radio, as opposed to vast parts of our independent radio being run from a networked computer in London. 
If broadcasting regulation was devolved, the talented people that exist in ITV Wales would have more freedom and encouragement to produce more shows about Wales for Wales (and beyond). 
If broadband strategy was devolved to Wales, we would have one body working together to give the best hi-speed Internet for all in Wales -not the hotchpotch of different bodies and agencies that currently exist in Cardiff and London that are achieving precious little to resolve the problem. 
The Silk Commission survey shows the electorate are very clear what they want out of devolution. They are not afraid of asking for what's best for them. They have vision. 
With the growth of the web and mobile, Welsh people are finding their voice. 
Any Cardiff Bay politician that ignores them does so at their peril come 2016.

Thursday 1 August 2013

Let's create a Media Dinas in Cardiff to beat Salford

Now that the BBC have put the For Sale sign up over its Llandaff HQ, can I urge us Welsh media types to engage in something we are not renowned for -serious joined-up thinking?

Because today's news isn't just another BBC property sale -it is the key to unlocking the vast potential of all our creative industries by building a shared space which could rival Salford's Media City.

If all the creative industries in Cardiff worked together to move to one place -there is absolutely no reason why this could not happen.

It's great to hear that BBC Wales are already working with the Welsh Government and S4C to try and find a common location for their media services, but other people need to join the party too. ITV Wales need to be part of this as does Nation Radio. The Cardiff indies like Boomerang, Green Bay etc etc should also be part of this new space, and there should be incentives created for digital start-ups to be able to afford cheap incubator units there.

Indie companies based in other parts of Wales should be given free or cheap office space so they can be a part of the conversations there too. And what better home for Cardiff's new local TV channel?

As John Lennon once said, maybe I'm a dreamer...but I'm not the only one.

My dream here is that Wales can steal the mantle of the UK's new Media City if those with the power work together to build a zone of major media significance in Cardiff.

The reality is that - even in these hi-tech days of tele-working - businesses of a similar kind do better when they are located close to similar/rival businesses.

Cardiff has the constituent parts of being a major media city - but it needs to bring them together as the sum will always be greater than the parts. And the BBC's announcement can be the firing of the gun to reach that goal.

Here endeth the Lesson!

(PS - I haven't thought too much about a geographical location for a new Media City in Cardiff - but the smart money I suppose would be on the Bay. However, the Central Cardiff redevelopment by the train station would also be a great place.)