Welsh Language Policy Statement.

Media Cymru Welsh Language Policy Statement

Last updated February 2024

This statement demonstrates our commitment to the Welsh language, outlines our responsibilities in relation to the Welsh Language Standards and details our key principles and aims, including how we will utilise, promote and celebrate the Welsh language.  

As part of its contribution to the culture and society of Wales, Media Cymru is committed to treating Welsh no less favourably than English. We recognise the importance, and benefits, of providing bilingual services for our audiences. 

This statement relates solely to the work of Media Cymru, however as Media Cymru’s programme is led by Cardiff University it has been developed in reference to the university’s Welsh Language Strategy – Yr Alwad/Embrace It and Welsh Language Standards. 

Principles

Media Cymru strives to make a positive contribution to the Welsh language. 

We recognise that people can choose to live their lives through the language of their choice and through our work we are committed to supporting, promoting, and celebrating Welsh language and culture. 

We will champion and support a bilingual Wales and play our part in the national effort to increase the number of Welsh speakers in Wales to one million by 2050, by contributing to strengthening the position of the Welsh language within the media sector in Wales through our research, engagement and innovation activities.  

Welsh identity and a sense of place is at the core of Media Cymru’s brand.  

As a place-based project funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), we play a role in helping to shape the future of media in Wales, building a global hub for media production and innovation in Cardiff and its surrounding areas – where Welsh language is integral to the creative narrative of the region.

We will ensure that a representation of Wales and Welsh language is central to our mission, commit to showcasing the Welsh language wherever possible and expanding its use in our environment and in all the work that we do. This is reflected in the bilingual nature of our name which will always be written as ‘Media Cymru’, in both Welsh and English. 

Media Cymru is committed to providing a bilingual service. 

We are committed to treating the Welsh and English languages equally in all our communications and will encourage the use of Welsh from our audiences, staff, partners and funders. 

We welcome correspondence in Welsh and will provide a consistent service in the language of choice.  

We recognise the benefits of a bilingual approach, such as enriching our programme and building stronger connections with audiences. 

Media Cymru encourages use of Welsh in the workplace.  

Welsh speaking staff will be integral to adopting a bilingual way of working and will be supported to help incorporate, use and promote the Welsh language in our workplace and with consortium partners. 

We will encourage staff to learn Welsh and provide opportunities to develop their skills.  

Aims

Represent the Welsh language creatively, by: 

• Representing Wales and the Welsh language to the highest standard 
• Helping to build positive recognition around the Welsh language, ensuring Welsh is an integral part of Media Cymru’s brand
• Ensuring services provided in Welsh are equally as visible and available to those in English
• Appreciating the bilingual nature of the industry we work in, strengthening and advocating for it.   

View the Welsh language as an opportunity to develop our work, by: 

• Building a strong reputation as a Welsh media collaboration that attracts audiences internationally and puts Wales on the map as a global hub for media production and innovation
• Offering wider access to our work through the provision of Welsh services, reaching wider audiences using Welsh language and widening the pipeline of people engaging with our programme through Welsh language opportunities
• Creating richer bilingual content to strengthen our appeal in and outside of Wales
• Creating new challenge calls around bilingual production, which will help lead to new Welsh ideas and innovations
• Showcasing Welsh language media production when gaining Welsh media coverage and building connections with the media in Wales. 

Encourage Welsh speakers to engage with our Welsh services and resources, by: 

• Making Welsh speakers aware of our Welsh language services
• Directing Welsh speaking audiences and staff to take advantage of our services in Welsh
• Building stronger connections with Welsh speakers, including Welsh media and the wider media and creative industries. 

Establish strong working procedures around the Welsh language, by: 

• Ensuring that all staff are aware of the principles outlined in this statement and how to implement them
• Ensuring services provided in Welsh are equally as visible and available to those in English
• Providing awareness training to staff about the Welsh Language Standards and support to those who require assistance with the Welsh language
• Offering training and opportunities for staff to develop Welsh language skills, making full use of the resources available from Cardiff University via the Dysgu Cymraeg / Learn Welsh scheme
• Promoting and encouraging the use of Welsh language in the workplace and developing a stronger Welsh presence in the office.  

Improve the position of Welsh language in our community and industry, by: 

• Becoming a reliable, trustworthy source for bilingual communications about the media and creative industries in Wales
• Demonstrating our commitment to the Welsh language
• Celebrating Welsh language and culture
• Thinking about the benefits bilingualism can offer internationally  
• Promoting the Welsh language and using it more widely through our work, with both audiences and staff.   

Further information

To find out more about Media Cymru, visit: media.cymru   

If you have questions relating to this statement or wish to discuss bilingualism at Media Cymru, please contact Caleb Woodbridge, Digital Communications Officer: woodbridgec@cardiff.ac.uk.