Shadow Minister for Media and Culture, David Melding AM, has welcomed the new raft of programmes from BBC Cymru Wales for viewers and listeners during the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).
The amended radio, television, iPlayer, and online output will include:
- · More “Bitesize” programmes for learners
- · A change in religious and humanist broadcasting, using Skype for “virtual gatherings”
- · Community-based output
- · More news and advice
- · Classic comedy
- · Live music from musicians’ homes
These, and other measures, are aimed at keeping people connected to their communities ,be it school, their place of worship, or everyday chats in cafes, places of employment, pubs, and other routine encounters that have been put on hold because of the need for people to socially distance or self-isolate themselves.
Mr Melding said:
“These changes actually reinforce the ethos of the British Broadcasting Corporation, which is to inform, educate, and entertain.
“I am sure, too, that my Welsh Conservative colleagues – especially Suzy Davies, Mark Isherwood, and Mohammad Asghar, respectively the Shadow Ministers for Education, Communities, and Faith – will join me in welcoming this.”
He said that it will be unavoidable for people to feel concerned or anxious during what is a crisis that few will have experienced in this country, adding:
“The BBC is showing how important trusted institutions are at a time of crisis. I particularly welcome the imagination and leadership the BBC is showing to bring news, comfort, and entertainment to our now dramatically constrained lives."