An Indy Fling with BBC Wales

Posted on January 17th, 2007 filed in Corporations, Media Analysis, Politics, Wales, Welsh Assembly

Like a bitch on heat the BBC in Wales wants a fling… with independence.

BBC Wales political editor Betsan Powys is not alone singing the praise of the indy thing.

In Wrexham there are BBC personnel working on a project to establish an independent media centre for Wales. The independent media centre aims to be a part of the world-wide Indymedia network.

Wrexham Assembly Member John Marek’s party – Forward Wales – is also involved in the project, along with the Wrexham Peace and Justice group, anarchists, socialists, pacifists, and many other “ists” … including our very own endangered species the Welsh journalist.

On the eve of the Welsh Assembly election the people of Wales have no independent media network to articulate their political aspirations. The old “Indycymru” news system died in March 2006, leaving Wales without an independent platform besides the Welsh blogosphere.

Those involved in this media project in North Wales should be honest with themselves and others. They can hardly be independent when they earn their crust from corporations and push political parties and secret agendas. That is not media independence.

BBC Wales is overstepping the mark and this indy fling may turn bitter.