Bethan Jenkins AC/AM Blog

December 2011
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Welsh musicians ‘are right to strike’/ Cerddorion Cymreig ‘yn iawn i streicio’

Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 1:10pm
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Cerddorion Cymreig ‘yn iawn i streicio’

AC Plaid yn cefnogi’r streic ac yn galw am newid gan y BBC

Mae Bethan Jenkins AC yn cefnogi penderfyniad cerddorion Cymreig i streicio am dri diwrnod o 19-21 Rhagfyr oherwydd ni fydd y BBC yn talu’r un swm i ddefnyddio eu caneuon ar Radio Cymru ag ar gyfer breindaliadau drwy gyfrwng y saesneg ar Radio Wales yn ol system taliadau PRS.

Ar y raddfa bresennol o 49c y funud, mae ugeiniau o gerddorion Cymreig yn honni eu bod yn gwneud colled o’r hyn a elwir yn y system PRS, ac yn credu, trwy eu gwaith, eu bont yn buddsoddi yn Radio Cymru. Maent yn streicio er mwyn tynnu sylw i’r mater yma, ac mae cannoedd o gerddorion Cymreig yn cymryd rhan.

Dywedodd Bethan, sy’n llefarydd Plaid Cymru dros yr Iaith Gymraeg, Treftadaeth a Chwaraeon:

“Mae gan cerddorion Cymreig yr hawl i gymryd camau ar y mater hwn. Mae’r hyn maent yn derbyn ar hyn o bryd yn gwbl annigonol, ac yn cymryd mantais o’u hymrwymiad i radio drwy gyfrwng yr Iaith Gymraeg. Rwy’n galw ar Ymddiriedolwyr y BBC, a chynrychiolydd Cymru ar yr Ymddiriedolaeth yn benodol,i fynd i’r afael a hwn fel mater o frys.”

Dywedodd Dafydd Roberts, o Sain: “Gwraidd y broblem yw na all y system taliadau ymdopi â cherddoriaeth lleiafrifol. Rhaid i’r BBC derbyn ac ymarfer y cyfrifoldeb sydd ganddynt i sicrhau y bydd taliadau’n cael eu dosrannu yn deg.”

Dywedodd y cyfansoddwr Deian ap Richard: “Mae’r diwydiant cerddoriaeth Cymru wedi dioddef iselder difrifol am dros bedair blynedd o ganlyniad i benderfyniadau a wnaed gan y PRS. Mae dyfodol gerddoriaeth fasnachol yng Nghymru mewn trafferth heb fuddsoddiad cyson. Rydym yn galw ar y BBC fel corff cyhoeddus i bwyso ar y PRS i newid. Mewn cyfarfod y llynedd dywedodd y BBC y byddai’n ymyrryd yn y broses pe byddai’r PRS yn trin cyfansoddwyr mewn modd annheg, ac rydym yn disgwyl iddynt weithredu.’

Dywedodd Gai Toms, cyfansoddwr: “Mae’r gwahaniaeth mawr rhwng BBC Radio Wales a Radio Cymru yn dangos diffyg dealltwriaeth y PRS o’n sefyllfa diwylliannol yma yng Nghymru.. Mae diffyg ymwybyddiaeth yn effeithio ar fusnesau bach ac unigolion creadigol.”

Press Release. Datganiad i’r Wasg.

Plaid. www.plaidcymru.org

For immediate release – December 16, 2011

Welsh musicians ‘are right to strike’

Plaid AM backs action and calls for BBC changes

Bethan Jenkins AM is backing a three-day action by Welsh musicians, who are striking from December 19 to 21 because the BBC will not pay the same amounts to use their songs on Radio Cymru, as paid for English language royalties.

At the current rate of 49p per minute, scores of Welsh musicians claim that they are making a loss from what is known as the PRS system, and believe that through their work they are investing in supporting Radio Cymru. Almost 100 Welsh musicians are taking action by striking.

Bethan, who is Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Heritage, Language and Sport, said:

“Welsh musicians are right to take action on this matter. What they receive at present is totally inadequate, and takes advantage of their commitment to Welsh language radio. I call on the BBC’s Trustees, specifically the BBC’s Welsh representative on the Trust, to address this deficiency as a matter of urgency.”

Dafydd Roberts, of Sain, said: “The root of the problem is that the payments system cannot cope with minority music. The BBC must accept and practice the responsibility they have to ensure that payments will be apportioned fairly.”

Composer Deian ap Richard said: “The Welsh music industry has suffered severe depression for over four years as a result of decisions made by the PRS. The future of commercial music in Wales is in trouble without consistent investment. We call on the BBC as a public body to press the PRS to change. We were promised by a meeting last year that the BBC would intervene if it believed that the PRS treated composers unfairly, and we expect them to act on their words.”

Gai Toms, a composer, said: “The huge difference between BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru payments show the PRS’ lack of cultural understanding of our situation here in Wales. The lack of awareness affects small businesses and creative individuals.”

DIWEDD/END
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Don’t scrap BBC Introducing in Wales

Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 at 1:04pm
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Don’t scrap BBC Introducing in Wales

Plaid AM joins industry calls to keep vital platform going



Bethan Jenkins AM is calling on the BBC to reconsider plans to bring to an end its Introducing platform in Wales, which is used to promote unsigned new musical talent. A new show is being proposed under the Delivering Quality First agenda, where there will be one show for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Now there are 3 separate shows. Jen Long is the current presenter, but famous former presenters include Bethan Eflyn and Huw Stephens.



Introducing goes out on Radio 1 and 6Music (it also has a website here), and has broken many new Welsh artists, and Bethan is joining with some of them to urge the corporation into a rethink. A petition will be presented in the UK Parliament on Monday(today), alongside a petition calling for the retention of BBC Introducing in Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and a facebook group has been set up to save the show in its current format.



Bethan, who is Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson on Heritage, Language and Sport, said:



“ BBC Introducing in Wales is exactly the kind of platform that new Welsh musicians need. Having regional variation allowed more artists – and specifically more Welsh artists – to be heard. I say to the BBC – think again, because this is where the stars of tomorrow are found, and it has a responsibility to help nurture them in this way.”



Turnstile Music manages Gruff Rhys, Los Campesinos and Islet. In a statement, it said:

“Turnstile Music was gutted to hear the BBC Introducing regional programmes are coming to an end. Over the years these programmes have been a great platform of credible support for established and upcoming bands and artists across our roster, as well as constantly supporting and helping promote Welsh and non-Welsh language bands and music events throughout Wales.



“This kind of support will be sorely missed and is another blow to an industry already struggling to support its most important assets at a regional level – new and emerging talent.”



Romesh Dodangoda, who has worked with bands such as Funeral For A Friend, Kids In Glass Houses, Attack! Attack!, The Blackout, Not Advised, Twin Atlantic and Save Your Breath, and is based in the well-known Longwave Recording Studio in Cardiff, added:

“Over the many years of working in the music industry, there is no doubt as to how much impact the BBC Introducing shows have had with helping new bands take themselves to the next level and get their music heard.



“A lot of the artists from Wales particularly have been given such great opportunities through the exposure they have gained from the shows and the support of the DJ’s. To get rid of these shows would make it harder for new talent to have their music heard by a wider audience.

“BBC Introducing has supported countless band’s that I have produced and those bands have gone forward and made careers for themselves. Not only that, but the show also helps local producers and studios by using them to record the live sessions for the programme.”

Welsh rappers Goldie Lookin’ Chain said:

“Along with many other Welsh artists, we remember our first radio play and hint of success and recognition from BBC Introducing In Wales. The show is a national treasure and without it we will have lost an invaluable chance for our artists, singers and song writers to take a giant leap to fame and fortune and to ultimately bring that fame and fortune back to Wales.

“We need a show like this in Wales for the artists and music fans of Wales and beyond. There is so much talent in Wales and we need to keep the channels open to maximise our potential and gain the greatest opportunity.”

Cardiff musician Matt Hudson from the band Fox Lane added:

“BBC Introducing in Wales provides the best incentive for young and unsigned bands to showcase their music. Without it, live opportunities are hard to come by and Talented young bands are forced out of the music business and lose motivation.”

Sam Airey added:

I feel that BBC Introducing in Wales is an absolutely vital platform for emerging Welsh talent, providing a step up for bands and artists to reach a wider audience than they ordinarily would be able to. My music was discovered earlier this year, largely due to the BBC Introducing system – I sent my first single to the Introducing Uploader, and from there it was picked up by Jen Long on BBC R1 Introducing in Wales, and Adam Walton/Bethan Elfyn on their BBC Radio Wales shows, who each gave it a big push. Since then (and mainly due to such great support) I’ve had national radio play on BBC Radio One, Two, and 6Music, played a radio showcase at Swn Festival in Cardiff, recorded a BBC Maida Vale session for Huw Stephens on Radio One, and last week recorded a session for Freshly Squeezed on Channel 4 tv. I have absolutely no doubt that without the help and support of BBC Introducing in Wales, I would have really struggled to achieve what I have so far, and I’m sure the same can be said for countless new artists from Wales that have also been benefactors of the Introducing system.

The band Friends Electric said:

“Without BBC Introducing in Wales we wouldn’t be where we are today. It’s as simple as that. The amount of passionate support we’ve received over the years from Huw, Bethan, Jen and the team, and the opportunities that have come because of this support, has been both incredible and invaluable. Seriously. Because of them we’ve been able to write music for a living. We have them to thank for everything.”