Following S4C’s recent campaign to impose English subtitles on some programmes, Dyfodol i’r Iaith have called for a meeting with the channel’s Authority and Chief Executive.

The organisation hopes that such a meeting will provide an opportunity to express their anxiety over the channel’s recent policy direction, which undermines its core mission to provide a natural domain for the Welsh language.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith will press for a rejection of any future plans in relation to the imposition of English subtitles and for a balanced and optional provision of subtitles in both Welsh and English. The meeting would also provide an opportunity to express concern over the increasing use of English, particularly within dramas and factual programmes.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said:

“S4C’s recent campaign to impose English subtitles has been a failure, with viewers, and younger viewers in particular, expressing their opposition on social media. It became clear that viewers are unwilling to see the Welsh language undermined in this way. As an organisation, we will be pressing upon S4C to adopt an enlightened policy that promotes and normalises the Welsh language.as the guiding principle of the Service.”

Dyfodol i’r Iaith have discovered evidence that S4C are considering the introduction of enforced English subtitles on a range of programmes in the future.

This goes against repeated statements made by S4C that this week’s English subtitles campaign was to last for 5 days only, and that the channel had no intention of imposing English subtitles in the future.

In their main corporate strategic policy document, S4C: Looking To The Future, p.33 S4C states:

“Until now, the main way of doing this (reaching a non-Welsh-speaking audience) was by providing optional subtitles – i.e. English subtitles the viewers themselves must select by pressing a button. We still believe that forcing Welsh speakers to watch every programme with on screen English subtitles would disrupt their viewing experience.

We believe that it is possible to experiment further with open subtitles, but without making that the norm for all programmes. We will, as we do now, when repeating dramas, continue to do so with open subtitles. We will also consider experimenting by creating specific sections of the schedule, for example after 10 o’clock, when every programme without exception would carry open subtitles.”

S4C is therefore of the opinion that it will be possible to experiment further with open subtitles. Specifically, they will consider their introduction to sections of the timetable and to a wide range of programmes during these hours. During these times, it will not be possible to turn off the English subtitles.

Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s Chair said: “It is now difficult to give credence to S4C’s managers who have deliberately tried to mislead the whole of Wales. The Head and Chair of S4C now need to consider their positions in the face of this treacherous behaviour.

“The reaction of Welsh-speakers throughout Wales. Including young people who have posted their reaction on social media, has been unanimous

“It is a pitiful situation that we can no longer trust our channel’s managers.”