Plaid Cymru’s Elin Jones AM has said that Radio Ceredigion’s community-focus and language-balance must continue after any proposed change in ownership.

The Ceredigion AM’s comments came in light of proposals which may see Town and Country Broadcasting – owners of numerous radio stations in South Wales including Radio Pembrokeshire and Radio Carmarthenshire – take majority ownership of Radio Ceredigion.

Elin Jones AM – who has been a supporter of Radio Ceredigion since its early days and is also a former director of the station’s management board – said: “Since its early days, Radio Ceredigion has faced the challenge of remaining commercially viable while broadcasting in a rural area. However, I know that local residents very much value the Welsh and English-language programmes which are produced by Radio Ceredigion and offer a distinct and local viewpoint.

“It’s essential that any decision on the future of Radio Ceredigion ensures that the current language balance in broadcasts is maintained, thereby retaining the commitment in the current broadcast licence. I will therefore be writing to both Town and Country Broadcasting and OfCom to ensure that Welsh language programming will remain as prominent in the schedules as they are today.

“Radio Ceredigion has also been fortunate to receive the assistance of many volunteers over the years and I hope that every effort will be made to ensure that this can continue. Under its new ownership, it’s important that all production isn’t centralised in Narberth and that a base for Radio Ceredigion can be retained in Ceredigion so that volunteers can continue to contribute to the station’s broadcasting”.

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