Welsh-language songs withdrawn in BBC payment row

Rights to use over 30,000 songs were stripped from the broadcaster on New Year's Day by EOS, a group representing more than 300 Welsh artists.

The move was in protest at a "bulk buy" deal set up by the BBC which EOS believes has cost Wales's creative industries £1.2 million since 2007.

BBC bosses have stated that their "priority remains finding a sensible and sustainable solution."

But EOS representative Dafydd Roberts said the corporation's royalties deal was designed for the "Anglo-American mainstream" and "doesn't really work for any minority music."

He also told the Morning Star that there was a major split in opinion between BBC bosses in Cardiff and London over the issue.

"The BBC in Cardiff realise the importance of the repertoire and London currently don't," he explained.

"It reflects a general lack of appreciation, knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity in London probably."

Since New Year's Day Wales's only Welsh language radio station, BBC Radio Cymru, has been filling its shows with English-language content.

And today it was even suggested television and radio coverage of Wales' national Eisteddfod - Europe's biggest cultural festival - could be cut completely if the long-running dispute is not settled.

Plaid Cymru MP Elfyn Llwyd believes the BBC could "decimate" Welsh language broadcasting "in order to protect the cosy relationship with the Performing Rights Society who have a monopoly."

Mr Llwyd, who has led the campaign to support the artists in Westminster, said that it is "patently unfair" that artists in Wales receive a quarter of the rates offered by the BBC's Asian networks.

In the wake of the row Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) has repeated calls for broadcasting to be devolved from Westminster to Wales' national assembly.

Cymdeithas chairman Robin Farrar said: "While the bosses in London have the last word over these issues, Wales's cultures aren't safe."

BBC bosses say their "priority remains finding a sensible and sustainable solution" and have called in an independent mediator to help advance negotiations.