2 days Ago
THE government has announced its preferred candidate for the S4C chair today. The culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, revealed Delyth Evans as its top pick. Mrs Evans has a diverse background, having started her career as a journalist at HTV Wales.
She worked on the flagship current affairs programme, Y Byd ar Bedwar, for S4C and later reported on BBC Radio 4’s World at One and PM programmes. In 2000, Mrs Evans transitioned into politics, becoming a Labour member of the Welsh Assembly, now known as the Senedd, representing the Mid and West Wales constituency. She was a deputy minister for culture, environment, and rural affairs.
Following her political stint, Mrs Evans ventured into the charity sector, serving as the chief executive of Smart Works, a women’s employment charity. Currently, she holds several positions, including board member at Sport Wales and governor at Coleg Gwent. Mrs Evans will undergo pre-appointment scrutiny before MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on Wednesday (April 23).
This scrutiny is part of the appointment process for the S4C chair, as outlined in the Broadcasting Act 1990. Miss Nandy said: "Delyth began her career as a broadcast journalist, and her vision for S4C’s future reflects a deep understanding of the Welsh cultural and media landscape, as well as an enduring commitment to public service. "I’m pleased to recommend her for the role of chair, in which she will no doubt be a proud champion of Welsh-language broadcasting.
" However, her proposed appointment has received some opposition. Andrew RT Davies, South Wales Central MS and former Welsh Conservative Senedd leader, said: "Appointing a former Labour politician to chair S4C will rightly raise eyebrows, especially following BBC Wales’ decision to appoint the former chief executive of Plaid Cymru as its director of programming. "The public expects impartiality from Welsh media, not political recycling.
"If the Welsh media wants to be trusted, these cosy Cardiff Bay appointments need to stop." The advisory assessment panel, which helped ministers make their decision, included a departmental official and a senior independent panel member approved by the commissioner for public appointments. The panel also had representatives from the Welsh Government and UK Government Wales office.
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