Two Muslim broadcasting organisations in the Netherlands are to cease transmissions from September 2010.

The two companies, NMO and NIO, have not requested a renewal of their public broadcasting licence for the next five-year period, and announced they will be dissolved next year.

Conservatives and liberals
NIO programme director Mustafa Aarab told the press on Tuesday, "I will lock the door behind me on 31 August 2010." According to his NMO colleague Abderrahman Farsi, the end of the two broadcasters comes after continuing conflicts within the umbrella organisation which was set up specifically to mediate between them. Conservatives in NMO wanted to limit the influence of liberal Muslims, and former NMO director Frank Williams was accused of financial mismanagement. "Our names are tainted, it's better to start anew," Mr Farsi said.

The Dutch Media Authority has meanwhile received requests by five other Islamic organisations who want to take the place of NMO and NIO. The Authority said that in accordance with the Media Act, no more than one of them will be given airtime, which will be decided on by 1 January 2010.

Airtime
Dutch public broadcasting is organised on the principle of representation, with some ten broadcasting associations being allotted airtime on public channels commensurate with their membership. Each broadcasting company has to represent a significant section of society. In addition, a small percentage of airtime is set aside for associations representing religious groups. It is the latter airtime that the Islamic broadcasters are vying for.

The End (Photo: FlickR/Kevin Steele)