BSL users dealt severe blow as ITV withdraws flagship Sign Language news headlines from 'Wales Tonight'

12.00.00am GMT Tue 3rd Feb 2009

Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates has written to the Minister following news that British Sign Language users in Wales have been dealt a severe blow by ITV, which has announced that it is to end its flagship Sign Language news headlines on 'Wales Tonight' with effect from Friday February 6th.

Commenting Mick stated:

"I am shocked to learn of the news that from this Friday ITV Wales will be scrapping its sign language service from its flagship 6pm news, a service which has been running since 1986. This decision will have an adverse impact on British Sign Language users in Wales, who will no longer have access to local news.

"The decision was only discovered last week, with as far as I am aware, no consultation or impact assessment being carried out, despite it being a commitment of Ofcom under their Equality Scheme to carry out both an impact assessment of its decisions and a consultation with disability consumer groups on issues of concern to them.

"In 2004 the Welsh Assembly recognised British Sign Language as a language in its own right. I am urging the Minister to take all action possible to reverse this discriminatory decision by ITV, which threatens the ability of BSL users to access regional news and may lead to a sense of isolation, particularly in rural areas where British Sign Language users may not come into contact with other BSL users for weeks on end."

End/Diwedd