Union chiefs have called for a regional publisher’s chief executive to appear before a new committee set up to scrutinise the media.

As reported on HTFP earlier this month, the National Union of Journalists had called on the Assembly to intervene in what it calls the “crisis” in Welsh media.

In response, a Culture, Welsh Language and Communications committee has been established, with presiding officer Elin Jones AM telling NUJ representatives in a letter that “a strong Welsh media is crucially important to the Assembly’s work and the health of Welsh democracy”.

The move comes after Trinity Mirror announced it would be withdrawing the North Wales Daily Post’s Welsh Affairs correspondent, who covers Assembly matters at the Senedd, pictured below, from Cardiff.

Members at Trinity Mirror North Wales have balloted for industrial action over the company’s decision.

The union now wants the company’s chief executive Simon Fox should be called to give evidence to the new body.

d called for the establishment of a media and communications committee, but the presiding officer said the new broader committee would provide “greater prominence to this important area of policy within the committee structure and will ensure that it receives due attention”.

Paul Scott, NUJ national executive member for Wales, said: “We will be in contact with the new chair of the committee and its members as soon as they are confirmed to discuss how we can help frame its work programme.

“Given recent announcements concerning Trinity Mirror North Wales and that company’s dominance of the print media in Wales as a whole, we would ask the committee to call on chief executive Simon Fox to give evidence as soon as possible.

“We believe he should be held to account publicly for moves that we believe are diminishing quality journalism in Wales.”