APPOINTMENT OF NEW SIANEL PEDWAR CYMRU (S4C) CHAIR

APPOINTMENT OF NEW SIANEL PEDWAR CYMRU (S4C) CHAIR

London, 24 March/GNN/ --

DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (039/06) issued by The
Government News Network on 24 March 2006
The Culture Secretary, Tessa Jowell, has appointed John Walter Jones OBE
as the new Chair of the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority (S4C Authority).
The term will be for a four-year period, from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2010.

John Walter Jones succeeds Elan Closs Stephens, who is leaving at the end
of March after eight years in post.

Mr Jones is currently a member of the S4C Authority. He was Chief Executive
of the Welsh Language Board between 1988 and 2004. He is a member of the
Cardiff National Eisteddfod 2008 Steering Committee and is an active supporter
of the Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin Welsh Medium Pre-School Play Group Association.
John was also a member of the DCMS Viewers' Panel on digital switchover.

He was ordained a member of the Gorsedd at the 2004 Newport National
Eisteddfod.

John Walter Jones said:

"I look forward to building on Elan Closs Stephen's outstanding contribution
to S4C. During my tenure as Chairman there will be many opportunities for
S4C, but I recognise that we will also face challenging questions. In this
fast-changing environment, the S4C Authority will ensure that the service
meets the expectations of our audiences."

Tessa Jowell said:

"I'm very pleased that John has agreed to become the new Chairman of S4C. His
commitment to the channel and to the Welsh language will ensure S4C continues
to provide a vital service for the people of Wales. I look forward to working
with him.

"And I would like to thank John's predecesor, Elan Closs Stephens, for
her hard work and dedication over the last eight years. Her contribution
to Welsh affairs cannot be overestimated and I wish her every success in
future ventures."

John Walter Jones has not undertaken any significant political activity in
the last five years.

Notes to Editors

1. S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru - the Welsh Fourth Channel) was established to
provide a wide-ranging and high-quality television service in Welsh. The
S4C Authority, as a regulatory body, is responsible for ensuring that S4C
and S4C digidol (the digital service) are delivered as public services and
also that effective management arrangements, including financial management,
are in place for S4C's public and commercial services.

2. On analogue, S4C has a duty to provide a wide-ranging, varied and
high-quality programme service, with a substantial proportion of programmes
in Welsh. During peak hours (between 18.30 and 22.00) the majority of
programmes must be in Welsh. English language programmes on S4C must usually
be programmes broadcast on Channel 4. On digital, S4C has a duty to provide
a wide-ranging, varied and high-quality programme service, with a substantial
proportion of programmes broadcast in Welsh. S4C also provides coverage of
the National Assembly for Wales and additional services on its other digital
service, S4C2.

3. S4C is funded by grant-in-aid, the level of which is determined by a formula
set out in the Broadcasting Act 1996. S4C's grant-in-aid for 2006 is £90.857m.

4. Remuneration for the post is £49,520 plus expenses.

5. The appointment of John Walter Jones as Chair of the S4C Authority has
been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public
Appointments' Code of Practice.

6. All public appointments are made on merit and political activity plays
no part in the selection process.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 6269
Out of hours telephone pager no: 07699 751 153
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 6200
Internet: http://www.culture.gov.uk

Department for Culture, Media and Sport
2-4 Cockspur Street
Tel 020 7211 6269
Press Office Fax 020 7211 6270

Source: DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

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