2. Statement by the First Minister: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:02 pm on 20 May 2020.

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Photo of Mark Drakeford Mark Drakeford Labour 2:02, 20 May 2020

(Translated)

Well, Llywydd, I agree that the current situation has strengthened devolution and has strengthened devolution in the thinking of the people of Wales. We had worked hard with the UK Government and, just to be fair, they have withdrawn a number of advertisements that they wanted to publish in Wales with 'Stay alert' and so on, but, at the end of the day, they couldn’t withdraw those things that were included in newspapers printed in London that are sold here in Wales.

I agree with what Delyth Jewell has said, that it is essential that we try to strengthen the messages that the people of Wales receive from people working in Wales in the press and also in the media. But, it is difficult for the Government to step into that gap, because Government funding would raise concerns with people as to whether that would have an impact on the situation and would put pressure on journalists to convey the news in the way that the Government would want to see it conveyed.

So, we have been working—we have been working with the committee chaired by Bethan Sayed—to think about what we can do to strengthen the position here in Wales. But, if the Government were to do too much, then that would create problems. It would assist us with some problems, but would raise other issues.