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Caerphilly Observer is to lead on an exciting new journalism project to boost coverage of the Senedd.

The pilot project is one of three selected by the Welsh Government to support local journalism in Wales.

A full-time reporter will be employed on a 12-month contract with Caerphilly Observer to cover the business of the Senedd – ranging from plenary sessions to committee hearings.

Caerphilly Observer, which recently celebrated ten years in print, is leading on the project with The Independent Community News Network (ICNN) – a body representing independent news publishers based out of Cardiff University.

It will see a full-time reporter based with us with their work shared with other Welsh media – very much like the BBC’s Local Democracy Reporting Scheme, of which we are the contract holder for the Caerphilly and Newport areas.

Richard Gurner, editor and publisher of Caerphilly Observer, said: “This exciting project is the result of a collaborative approach taken by the media and the NUJ through the Welsh Public Interest Journalism Working Group, of which I am member.

“Despite devolution beginning almost a quarter of a century ago, there is still a gap in people’s understanding of how the Senedd works and the influence and power it has over people’s daily lives.

“While not pretending to be a ‘silver bullet’ solution to the under-reporting of the work of Senedd Members, we are hopeful this project will form a foundation from which we can build.”

Other projects are Cardiff University getting funding to research the state of the Welsh journalism sector while the Inclusive Journalism Cymru, which aims to build a more inclusive and representative journalism sector in Wales, will get funding to run a training programme to boost skills.

A total pot of £200,000 is being made available to the projects and a Welsh Public Interest News Accelerator.

The accelerator will get half of the £200,000 to support up to ten independent publications deliver locally relevant public interest news. This is being run by the ICNN.

The other £100,000 will be spent on the ‘Welsh Public Interest News Accelerator’. This is a scheme run by the ICNN aiming to support up to ten independent publications deliver locally relevant public interest news.

Co-operation agreement

The funding has come about through the Co-operation Agreement between Plaid Cymru and Labour.

Dawn Bowden, the Welsh Government’s deputy minister for arts, sport and tourism, said: “A strong and vibrant media sector in Wales is an essential part of a modern democratic society.

A strong and independent media is essential to provide a comprehensive service that informs, educates and inspires the people of Wales. I’m delighted that we can announce this funding which will play a part in addressing the issues which currently face the sector – and also assess the current landscape and inform future funding and interventions.”

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell, one of the party’s designated members in the Co-operation Agreement, said: “Wales needs independent, home-grown journalism that is rooted in our communities so they are supported to report on matters that are relevant and important locally.

“Covering stories about Wales from Wales is a crucial part of our democratic process. By working together through the Co-operation Agreement, the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru are able to fund these projects so they can help provide a distinct Welsh voice and play a role in supporting home-made journalism for Wales.”