Broadcasting in Wales: The Sound of Progress?

Recorded live at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, in this podcast we are joined by screenwriter Roger Williams, actor Dewi Rhys Williams, and former Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Bethan Sayed, to discuss the new film Y Sŵn and the future of broadcasting in Wales more widely. Y Sŵn (trailer here: https://youtu.be/iKgexU9mtgw ) tells the story of the political battle between Welsh language campaigners and the Conservative UK Government under Margaret Thatcher to establish a Welsh language television service. Set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the story follows the defeat of the devolution referendum of 1979 and frustration of Welsh campaigners that they have no way to stop a UK Government u-turn on their promises. Many themes from those times remain resonant in Wales today with ongoing debates about the devolution of broadcasting, media, and communication powers to Wales and as S4C celebrates its 40th birthday, an entirely new media landscape to which Welsh storytellers and producers need to respond. We pick up some of these questions with our panel and answer some audience questions. You can find out more about Y Sŵn here: https://yswn.cymru You can follow Roger here: https://twitter.com/rogwilliams And Bethan here: https://twitter.com/bethanjenkins And for all the latest from Hiraeth, please follow us @HiraethPod on the socials, including Twitter: https://twitter.com/HiraethPod If you're enjoying the pod, please leave us a rating and review in your player app of choice and, if you can do so, please consider supporting us on Patreon from just £3/month: https://www.patreon.com/HiraethPod