The Welsh Assembly  is to launch an investigation into the state of the country’s media amid cutbacks by newspaper publishers and broadcasters.

The move follows the recent announcement of 22 job losses at Trinity Mirror’s Media Wales division which publishes the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and Celtic weeklies.

Earler this week a group of MPs at Westminster Parliament called on Trinity to enter into talks with the National Union of Journalists to “protect the quality of journalism in Wales.”

NUJ representatives at the Cardiff-based Media Wales titles have also called on Trinity managers to discuss alternative plans for the company.

Father-of-chapel Martin Shipton revealed that the union had ruled out industrial action at the present time after a confidential briefing from the company.

He said: “We are seriously concerned about the future of the company and as part of the redundancy consultation process have called on the management to develop a rescue plan for the future in conjunction with the NUJ.

“The company has provided us with financial information on a confidential basis that has led us to reject industrial action as a realistic option at this time. Instead we are working to achieve the best possible outcome in the circumstances, both for those who will be leaving the company and those who will remain.”