Pic. The old Carmarthen Journal Offices on King Street
The Welsh Government’s recent statement on the future of media in Wales addresses important questions about journalism, but it ignores a fundamental inequality in how public money is distributed.
For decades, traditional print newspapers have enjoyed a monopoly over statutory public notices and council advertising. Yet today, many of these print editions suffer declining sales and refuse to publish verified circulation figures, while remaining the default choice for government expenditure.
Delivering Equity for Digital Publishers
Across Sir Gaerfyrddin, independent digital news outlets have stepped up to provide fast, reliable, and deeply engaged local reporting. However, because of antiquated legal definitions of what constitutes a ‘newspaper’, these digital platforms are excluded from receiving public notice revenue. Campaigning bodies like the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) and Press Gazette have rightly called for a level playing field. Public funds should be directed to where local people actually read their news.
Demanding Action in the Senedd
As a member of the Senedd Culture, Communications, Cymraeg and Sport Committee, I am calling on the Welsh Government to modernise public notice legislation and ensure local authority advertising spend is distributed transparently based on verified engagement, supporting truly independent newsrooms in
Carmarthenshire.
Where do you read your local news and public notices in Sir Gaerfyrddin?
Share your views on local media and public notice transparency by emailing: gareth.beer-as@senedd.cymru.
