A protester who refused to buy a TV licence as part of a campaign for greater Welsh broadcasting powers has appeared in court.
William Thomas Griffiths, of Malltraeth near Llangefni, Anglesey pleaded not guilty on principle to the charge when he appeared at Caernarfon magistrates Court.
The 56-year-old is the second of more than 70 people being prosecuted in a campaign organised by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg. The group want want control of licence fees and regulations devolved to the Welsh Government.
He was given a six month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £220 in costs.
Addressing the court, Griffiths said Welsh control of broadcasting is essential.
"It is important in how we see ourselves and the world around us and how the world sees us.
"Devolving broadcasting to Wales is important from the point of view of democracy in Wales. At the last general election the news from London drowned us out. The same thing happened with the Brexit referendum.
"Devolving broadcasting powers to Wales is the only answer to these problems; and that’s why I’m taking a stand.
"This campaign is very important to secure a better future for the people of Wales."
Supporters at the back of court applauded his address.
Conditionally discharging the protester District Judge Gwyn Jones said it was the duty of the court to enforce the law and it had no power to change it.
He said after considering the evidence he found Griffiths did not have a TV licence when an investigator visited his home last February and was therefore guilty of the charge.
Speaking at a rally outside the court building before the hearing, musician and language campaigner Geraint Lovgreen said: "I, like growing numbers of other people, are also refusing to pay for my TV licence until decisions about broadcasting in Wales are made by the people of Wales.
"The Welsh language and Welsh democracy are seriously suffering as a result of the Westminster-run broadcasting system at the moment. Controlling our own media in Wales will give us a chance to see the world through Welsh eyes."
Last year, campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith presented their proposals for a devolved system of broadcasting.
The pressure group claims tens of millions of pounds extra would be available to invest in Welsh content on TV, radio and online through devolution with control over the licence fee and a new tax on big new media businesses like Netflix, YouTube and Facebook.
