How we discover, access, and receive news has changed substantially over the past two decades.

Advances in technology, the internet, smartphones, and improved connectivity have seen an enormous shift online. Newspaper sales have fallen year on year, and they are now nearing a point where they will cease to be commercially viable.

Traditional news providers have struggled to make sufficient returns from online digital advertising. Their reliance on page views to generate revenues has led to publishers creating more populist content, with public interest journalism becoming less and less prominent.

News audiences have fragmented. Some access news through social media, others from radio and TV, and some still buy newspapers and visit news websites.

Our previous practical experience running a national news service and extensive and continuing research clearly shows that a sustainable public-interest news service for Wales requires a new approach.

We’re creating a genuinely multi-platform service. We’re ensuring that wherever people access their news, we’ll be there providing it. This includes the first national news-led radio station for Wales, available online via smart speakers or our dedicated smartphone app, a news website updated regularly, content shared across social media in relevant formats, email newsletters, and online and in-person events and discussions.

Our service is not the only thing that’s innovative. Our ownership model is as well. We’ve set up as a Community Benefit Society, a cooperative model that means we’ll be answerable to you, our shareholders. Every penny of profit we generate will be reinvested into the service, employing more journalists and providing improved news provision to communities across Wales.

During the 2024 General Election, we ran a successful pilot service.
We are now preparing our community share prospectus, allowing you to own a stake in Talking Wales and raise the funds required to launch the new service before the year’s end.

Your support is greatly appreciated and valued. You can help us during our pilot phase by clicking the donate button below. Every contribution makes a difference.

Diolch

Huw Marshall
Founder
www.talking.wales

Donate