Covid-19: BBC Cymru Wales to ‘change output’. Shadow Media Minister comments

David Melding AM, the Shadow Minister for Media and Culture, said today (March 20) that the decision by BBC Cymru Wales radio to change some of broadcast output is “… understandable given the likely effect of Covid-19 [Coronavirus]”.­­

Mr Melding continued:

“The effect of the Coronavirus outbreak is, without question, likely to be unprecedented and few, if any, areas of life will go untouched, even media and broadcasting, and therefore the announcement by Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director of BBC Wales, was inevitable, but understandable.”

The announcement followed an earlier one that a number of BBC TV and BBC Cymru Wales series, including favourites such as Pobol y Cwm, EastEnders, and Casualty, would postpone filming during the outbreak.

The broadcaster said it would be maintaining news services across radio, television, and online.

Mr Melding said:

“Particularly as all but essential workers will be socially-distancing or self-isolating, and working from home, there will be an increased reliance on broadcast media, especially for news and advice, so measures taken to ensure the continued, if altered, output across all genres and media is to be welcomed.”

ENDS