UPDATE DECEMBER 2020: I understand freelancers are now being paid for contributing to Herald Gymraeg. I have not been asked / invited back to contribute which is disappointing.
Conclusion:
No value in archaeology articles.
Bad news for freelancers.
Historical parallels spring to mind.
Original Blog Below:
Does dim colofn gennyf yn yr Herald Gymraeg heddiw. Cafwyd wybod ddechrau Ebrill fod cyflogau colofnwyr llawrydd yn cael eu hatal oherwydd y feirws corona. Dwi ddim yn gwybod os rwyf wedi gwneud y penderfyniad iawn ond fy nheimlad i oedd fel rhywun hunnan gyflogedig na ddyliwn barhau i gyfrannu yn ddi-dal. Er fod ni yn meddwl am yr Herald Gymraeg, cwmni Reach PLC sydd yn ein cyflogi. Mae gwerth i'r golofn, mae gwerth i ddiwylliant Cymraeg. Does dim syniad gennyf os caf wahoddiad i sgwennu eto yn y dyfodol?
I have contributed a Pop Music /culture and Welsh history / archaeology column for Herald Gymraeg for over 10 years. As freelance writers we were informed early April that we would no longer be paid by Reach PLC due to pressures resulting from the Corona virus. Rightly or wrongly I have decided not to write for free. What we do has a value. Welsh Culture has a value.
Once things settle after the Corona Virus I think there will need to be a major re-think or re-evaluation of the value of Welsh culture. Current events have exposed the fragility of the Welsh language economy. Those of us within the creative / cultural / heritage industries have been left very exposed.
My work as a freelance lecturer / tour guide / archaeologist have all been cancelled for the Summer of 2020. There is not much of a safety net. Likewise most of my music business activities.
Fortunately my work writing books continues as does the weekly BBC Radio Cymru show - I am luckier than many. But I have a feeling that many of us within the Welsh language eco-climate will need a re-think soon. Its a very fragile climate. The future has to be re-written.
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