Conservative Senedd member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend Andrew RT Davies has condemned Senedd ministers for failing to ensure the political neutrality of media organisations they fund.
Mr Davies asked Plaid Cymru’s Culture Minister Heledd Fychan to commit to withdrawing public funds from any media organisation that is not politically neutral.
Ms Fychan said, “it is not for the Welsh Government to determine what constitutes deviation from political neutrality by a media organisation.”
She also wrongly claimed concerns regarding the perceived bias of output by print and online newspapers are handled by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (ISPO).
IPSO’s website confirms the body is not responsible for such concerns.
It states, “the Editors’ Code allows newspapers and magazines to be partisan generally, including in their coverage of election-related material.
“The selection and presentation of material for publication is a matter for individual editors provided that the Editors’ Code of Practice has not otherwise been breached.”
Ms Fychan also refused to be drawn on the political neutrality of specific media outlets in receipt of public funds.
Responding to a question about perceived bias of taxpayer funded Nation Cymru, she said, “Welsh Government does hold a position on the political neutrality of individual media outlets.”
Mr Davies said:
“Plaid Cymru separatists are giving certain media outlets taxpayer funds, yet are taking no action to ensure their output is politically neutral.
“They wrongly stated complaints should be referred to IPSO, despite the organisation having no powers to prevent political bias.
“This is simultaneously incompetent and a serious misuse of taxpayers’ money.”
ENDS
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