Political discourse no longer the domain of traditional media

Political discourse is no longer the domain of traditional newspapers and television news bulletins – websites, blogs and news outlets are driving political debate and existing news organisations are now placing a greater emphasis on multi-media platforms – not least to encourage more participation in the political process.

BBC Democracy Live is a perfect example of this. An on-line channel that now streams live the proceedings of all legislative bodies in the UK, including the National Assembly for Wales.

This is especially relevant as the Assembly celebrates its 10th anniversary, as it underpins its strategic communications goals for the next decade of devolution.

Senedd TV has been streaming live, proceedings of Assembly Plenary and Committee meetings, since 2008 and anyone can embed recorded versions of these proceedings on their own website. The Assembly is also proactively engaging with voters through its social networking sites on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Youtube and through its e-petitions system.

Danish pupils use web in exams

In Denmark, the government has taken the bold step of allowing pupils full access to the internet during their final school year exams…more

Celebrating 40 years of the net

It has often been said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. For the internet, that first step was more of a stumble. Read more about the internet’s humble beginnings, 40 years ago today.

Online advertising ‘overtakes TV’

Online advertising spending in the UK has overtaken television expenditure for the first time, a report has said. Read more.

Nintendo Backs Handheld Learning Conference

Nintendo will be an official sponsor of next month’s Handheld Learning Conference in London, where more than 1,000 delegates will debate and demonstrate ways in which learning can be positively improved through the use of technology. Read more.

Welsh language mobile launched

Samsung and the Orange mobile phone network have launched a Welsh language interface mobile phone. The language of the phone can be set to Welsh as well as French, German or English, read more

Translation appeal on video game

A company behind a popular computer game based on Celtic mythology is appealing for Welsh speakers to help translate it.

Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches is based on the medieval Welsh folk tales The Mabinogion, and has been translated into German, French and Russian. But Arberth Studios said a limited market means it cannot justify £16,500 Welsh translation costs. Read the full story

Burning Ambition

NIACE Dysgu Cymru’s Campaigns and Promotions team has decided to by-pass the usual television adverts and instead utilise the internet to promote Adult Learning in Wales. Using skills gained from in house training we have managed to produce ‘Burning Ambition’ a one minute comedy about a Caveman’s quest for fire, have a look and let us know what you think.

Eisteddfod 2009

Come and join the debate.

Once again, the Wales Media Literacy Network, in partnership with the RTS, will be holding an event at the National Eisteddfod in Bala, on Tuesday 4th August at 6.00pm at the S4C pavilion.

The Government’s recent Digital Britain report places great emphasis on ensuring that we’re all fully equipped to participate in a digital society. This means ensuring that we’re all aware of the different types of new media technologies and are confident in our ability to use them to our best advantage. 

Digital inclusion is fundamentally about equality of opportunity – and the ability to communicate through whatever medium or language we choose.

The younger generation are already leading the way – the phenomenal growth in the use of social networking sites,  and the vast amount of user generated content on the web and other platforms demonstrates their aptitude at grasping new ways of getting their voices heard.  But are these same opportunities available for Welsh speakers?

There is certainly a hive of new media activity going on in Welsh – but does more need to be done to promote, co-ordinate, encourage and even train young people to embrace these new technologies through the medium of Welsh.

Please join us as we debate some of the issues above (and more) in the company of Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Digital Inclusion and a panel of selected experts .

If you would like to attend the event please contact Karen Roberts by e-mail karen.roberts@ofcom.org.uk or on 029 2046 7202 as soon as possible before Friday 31st July,  as we will be providing light refreshments at the end of the evening and will need to know for catering purposes.

Dewch i ymuno yn y drafodaeth.

Unwaith eto mae Rhwydwaith Llythrennedd yn y Cyfryngau Cymru, mewn partneriaeth gyda’r RTS, yn cynnal digwyddiad yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn y Bala ar ddydd Mawrth 4 Awst am 6.00pm ym mhafiliwn S4C.

Mae adroddiad diweddar y Llywodraeth, Prydain Ddigidol, yn rhoi cryn bwyslais ar sicrhau ein bod i gyd wedi’n harfogi i gymryd rhan mewn cymdeithas ddigidol. Mae hyn yn golygu gwneud yn siŵr bod pob un ohonom yn ymwybodol o’r gwahanol fathau o dechnolegau cyfryngau newydd sydd yn bodoli a’n bod yn hyderus yn ein gallu i’w defnyddio er y budd gorau i ni.

Yn ei hanfod mae cynhwysiad digidol yn golygu cyfle cyfartal – a’r gallu i gyfathrebu trwy ba bynnag gyfrwng neu iaith a ddewiswn.

Mae’ genhedlaeth iau eisoes yn arwain y ffordd – mae’r twf rhyfeddol yn y defnydd o safleoedd rhwydweithio cymdeithasol a’r swm helaeth o gynnwys a gynhyrchir gan ddefnyddwyr ar y we ac ar blatfformau eraill yn dangos eu gallu i fanteisio ar ddulliau newydd o fynegi barn. Ond ydy’r cyfleoedd hyn ar gael i siaradwyr Cymraeg?

Yn sicr mae cryn dipyn o weithgarwch cyfryngau newydd yn digwydd yn Gymraeg – ond a oes angen gwneud rhagor i hyrwyddo, cydlynu, annog a hyd yn oed hyfforddi pobl ifanc i ddefnyddio’r technolegau newydd hyn trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg?

Ymunwch â ni wrth i ni drafod rhai o’r pynciau uchod (a rhagor) yng nghwmni Leighton Andrews AC, Gweinidog dros Gynhwysiad Digidol a phanel o arbenigwyr dethol.

Os hoffech ddod i’r digwyddiad cysylltwch â Karen Roberts trwy e-bost karen.roberts@ofcom.org.uk neu ar 029 2046 7202 cyn gynted â phosibl cyn dydd Gwener 31 Gorffennaf gan y byddwn yn darparu lluniaeth ysgafn ar ddiwedd y noson a bydd angen cael gwybod faint sydd yn dod i ddibenion arlwyo.

Ofcom publishes learning-related audit

Ofcom has published an Audit of learning-related media literacy policy development.  Jointly commissioned by Ofcom and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCFS), the audit aims to map public policy developments across the UK in relation to the promotion of media literacy.

Take a look at the report at:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/media_literacy/medlitpub/medlitpubrss/ml_policy_development/

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