Ofcom's decision has failed democracy and failed the people of Wales - Black

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 25th Sep 2008

Commenting on Ofcom's decision to allow ITV to slash Welsh programming to just an hour and half every week, Peter Black AM described the decision as "outrageous" and "a giant leap backwards for devolution in the UK".

Mr Black, culture and media spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "This decision is effectively leaving Wales with a BBC monopoly when it comes to serious current affairs. That is simply not good enough.

"The bottom line for ITV is that they have a public service obligation. Quite how much service you can provide in 90 minutes, we will have to see. ITVWales were pitching their new schedule - which already cut the amount of made in Wales current affairs programming - at around three hours a week. That was already a backward step for the people of Wales. Ninety minutes is a giant leap backwards for devolution in the UK.

"Devolution allows the nations of the UK to do more and more things in a way that is different. While TV is the main source of information people have about the politics of where they live, there can be little justification for cutting the legs from under the ITVWales operation. There is a real danger of Wales being left with a single broadcasting monopoly.

"The BBC does a great job of reporting Wales to its own people and the world beyond. But without competition, who will keep the BBC on its mettle? Where will the alternative voice come from?

"Plurality of voice matters - Ofcom's decision shows a regulator unwilling to regulate. It has failed democracy, and it has failed the people of Wales."