Formal Senedd say in choosing S4C chair rejected

S4C, or Sianel Pedwar Cymru, has broadcast Welsh language television programmes since 1982

The Senedd will not be given a formal say in appointing the chair of the Welsh language broadcaster S4C, the UK government has said.

Media minister Ian Murray said the Welsh government was consulted on the recent appointment of a new chair but there are no plans to change current arrangements.

He rejected the Senedd Culture Committee's call to have "a formal involvement", saying the current system provides sufficient scrutiny and accountability.

Powers over broadcasting lie with the UK government but the committee argued it is an "anomaly" that powers over S4C do not reside in Wales.

Delyth Jewell, chair of the Senedd Culture Committee and Plaid Cymru's deputy leader, wrote to UK government Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy asking her to formally involve the Senedd in the process following the appointment of a new S4C chair Delyth Evans earlier this year.

In the letter, Jewell said the appointment should "require the agreement" of the Welsh government followed by the Senedd's culture committee holding a "pre-appointment hearing" with the preferred candidate.

Jewell also said: "It is our belief that the scrutiny of broadcasting, and the accountability of those tasked with running broadcasting organisations, would improve were the Senedd given a role."

"Whilst we endorse the appointment of Delyth Evans, we believe that the committee should have had a formal involvement in the appointment of the chair of S4C."

"Indeed, we had previously called for our committee – and the Senedd – to have had this involvement, which was a view supported on a cross-party basis."

In response, media minister Ian Murray said the UK government has "no plans to change current appointment processes".

Murray said the Welsh government had been involved in the process to appoint Delyth Evans as S4C chair in May.

He said the Welsh government was asked to suggest potential candidates and had a representative on an advisory assessment panel before being consulted on the appointment of Delyth Evans as S4C chair.

Murray said these arrangements "worked well and there was effective collaboration and consultation."

He also pointed out that the Senedd's Culture Committee was able to call the S4C chair to give evidence after she was appointed.

Former Labour politician Delyth Evans began a four-year term as S4C chair in May

Jewell added: "Whilst we recognise that broadcasting is a matter reserved to the UK government, it is indelibly linked to a range of devolved matters including the Welsh language which is particularly the case with S4C.

"It is an anomaly that powers over the only public-service broadcaster operating solely in the Welsh language do not reside in the nation where that language is primarily spoken".

Former Labour politician Delyth Evans took over as chair of S4C in May following her appointment by the UK government's culture secretary, Lisa Nandy.

She joined S4C after a tumultuous period that saw former chief executive Sian Doyle sacked in November 2023 after claims of a toxic and bullying culture at the channel, followed by Evans' predecessor Rhodri Williams telling the UK government he did not want a second term in charge.