Aberystwyth University

Broadcasting remains a reserved power at Westminster, but the Constitutional Commission recommended that the Welsh and UK Governments should 'agree mechanisms for a stronger voice for Wales on broadcasting policy.' Aberystwyth University's Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies has been at the forefront of research examining how broadcasting devolution could work in practice.

Aberystwyth University's research into broadcasting devolution directly shapes one of the key constitutional debates ahead of 2026: whether Wales should have greater control over its media landscape. The university's work examines how the current UK-wide broadcasting framework — dominated by London-based commissioning and editorial decisions — fails to adequately serve Welsh audiences, particularly in Welsh-language content. By providing the evidence base for broadcasting devolution, Aberystwyth's research gives politicians and campaigners the academic grounding to argue that media pluralism in Wales requires structural change, not just editorial goodwill from London-based broadcasters. This research connects to broader arguments about democratic deficit in Wales: without adequate Welsh-focused media coverage, voters cannot make informed decisions about devolved governance, creating a vicious cycle where low engagement undermines devolution's legitimacy.