Prominent world citizens have expressed grave concern over the imminent cuts at Radio Netherlands Worldwide. From former ICTY prosecutor Goldstone to Nobel Peace Laureate Perez Esquivel to globetrotting Dutch author Cees Nooteboom, all are dismayed about the Dutch government's planned radical cuts.
About the RNW cuts
- 70 percent off RNW budget
- World citizens: save RNW
- Sweeping changes, services axed
- RNW's Free Speech, Dutch Values plan
Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s productions in ten languages reach far and wide via radio, partner stations, websites and mobile telephones. Messages of support are pouring in from all corners of the world. We hear from a number of prominent citizens of the world.
Former judge, former chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), led the UN investigation into the Gaza War. He talks about RNW’s International Justice website:
“Well, my message to the Dutch politicians is that it is in the interests of the Netherlands and its people that it continues to be at the forefront of international justice. And, let’s be quite frank about it, I think it is an important income producer for the Netherlands. Many thousands of people pass through The Hague every year. This is an important plus and I think that the publicity associated with it contributes very positively in that way.”
Former Dutch ambassador to Indonesia, Germany and Syria:
“Continuing Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s operations in Indonesia is without question of importance to our bilateral relations. They allow us to reach a large part of the Indonesian population right across the archipelago. This direct contact between our two populations and countries is of great benefit and its disappearance would constitute a major loss for both parties. When I served as ambassador to Indonesia (2005 – 2010), I was often made aware how highly valued RNW’s broadcasts were in Indonesia, and how they facilitated mutual understanding.”
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel (Argentina)
Nobel Peace Laureate (1980), cited for his support of relatives of victims of the Dirty War under the Videla dictatorship:
“I will raise my voice and will do my utmost to convince the Dutch government of the powerful effect of Radio Netherlands Worldwide and the value of its work which mustn’t be lost.”
In 2008, was taken hostage for four months in Somalia with a colleague:
“The whole time, we were able to listen regularly to a little radio, to stations including Radio Netherlands Worldwide. I wanted to thank you, even though you weren’t aware of it. I was able to hear everything about the Netherlands: interviews, documentaries, the news and, at Yuletide, typically Dutch stories about Saint Nicholas and Christmas - fantastic. Your broadcasts strengthened me a lot. Thanks.”
Member of Libya’s National Transitional Council and opponent of Muammar Gaddafi:
“We’ll never forget that Radio Netherlands Worldwide was one of the first broadcasters to arrive in Benghazi after the revolution started. Mohammed Abdulrahman and Hans Jaap Melissen did extremely good work, and also Omar Elkeddi from Hilversum. That will always be engraved in the memory of the Libyan people and is the reason why we don’t blame the Netherlands for not having recognised the council yet.”
Writer and poet, his work has been translated into many languages:
“I’ve travelled the world a lot and have always listened to Radio Netherlands Worldwide, and now they’re going to cut it, kill it. It’s as much my tragedy as yours. They have no idea of the importance of certain things, which you can’t measure in terms of money. I simply don’t understand this government.”
Lulu (China)
It’s not usual in China to show public support for foreign news organisations. Nevertheless, members of the audience of RNW’s Chinese-language website have let their voices be heard. They include 29-year-old Lulu from Chengdu:
“You are very important. You let the Chinese hear a different voice. You have opened a window for people in a country without press freedom.”
(js/rk/tt)
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Do not you sell the yellow shirt of the photograph?
Please think about sale. I purchase it.
It saddens me to hear that Radio Nederland Wereldomroep is being silenced by the severe budget cuts passed down by the Dutch government. I literally grew up listening to your repeater station on Bonaire in the Antilles. Listening to your programs as a child taught me a great deal about your small part of the world and opened my eyes to the world at large. It is understandable during these times of global financial crisis that decisions must be made, but these cuts not only effect your staff and listeners, but also how the world sees your beautiful country. My wife and I have made several trips to the Netherlands, touring on bicycles and using your trains. You as a people have a lot to be proud of, I hope that you will continue to show the world what you are all about. Please keep Radio Netherlands open and on the air. Fritz Seefeldt, Kent, Ohio.
Radio Nederlands Int'l should continue on air and the government should get behind it. Do they consider the loss of jobs and talent. No, all they think of is money. It is the voice of the country. Too many of these things are happening. Radio Canada Int'l is going off air also. Radio Prague ended SW broadcasting in 2011. Thanks to technology many of those going off air on SW are still transmitting via the internet, but it's just not the same is it.
“I’ve travelled the almost all the Cuba Island
a lot of farmer always listened to Radio Netherlands Worldwide,
overall where farmer cannot listen neither the national radio
and now they’re going to cut it, kill it.
It’s as much my tragedy as yours.
They have no idea of the importance
of certain things, which you can’t measure
in terms of money. I simply don’t
understand this government.” if any understanding
they have about of human rights abuse in Cuba is thanks
to Radio Netherlands they are isulate.
RNW, the only reliable source of news in Curacao. Please keep it this way.
I can surely say Radio Netherlands was for me and many DXers a golden reference, always the best, ever broadcasting peace. I think many listeners around the world improved his knowledge taking a bit of their times to listen to radio Netherland, who didn´t know Tom Meyer and his Happy Station.
We are watching many important radio stations going out of the air and I think it is paradoxical, I expected just the contrary, specially when we talked we were achieving so much progresses in telecommunications.
I can surely say Radio Netherlands was for me and many DXers a golden reference, always the best, ever broadcasting peace. I think many listeners around the world improved his knowledge taking a bit of their times to listen to radio Netherland, who didn´t know Tom Meyer and his Happy Station.
We are watching many important radio stations going out of the air and I think it is paradoxical, I expected just the contrary, specially when we talked we were achieving so much progresses in telecommunications.
I am sick of what is being done to the world media, in the name of "progress".
We are rapidly losing all of our credible news sources, to a "new world" of bloggers, malcontents, and totally fraudulent "news sources". We need the major news outlets, for their professional journalistic abilities, their resources, and their (generally) independent opinions.
Please don't let the politicians, misinformed by special interest groups, take away the only true sources of news, information and features programming that most people have available.
Thank you, RNW, for my many pleasurable years of listening.
Dutch government: Don't slash RNW's budget!!
Long live Radio Netherlands Worldwide. It's a joy to listen to good old ABN.
As a non-Dutch law student, your articles about International Justice have always been the best way to keep abreast of the latest developments in the field. I have always been very wary of journalists' accounts of what's going on around the world since 9/11. However, RNW reconciled me with journalism. You're the best international media I've ever read in my life.
A very sad indication that Holland is emulating much of the world in eliminating access to quality reporting, diversity, art, cultural interests, and advances in civilisation. RNW is one of the few remaining venues for such wide ranging and balanced information and debate. The Dutch Government should be ashamed at even suggesting this move as it marks the demise of key distinctions of 'being Dutch' - acceptance, diversity, openness, and tolerance. Remember that your actions will go down in history attached to your names and era. Think again on whether this is a wise decision given the order of magnitude of the actual financial 'savings' versus historial damage. Shame on you!
My husband Willem was Dutch and we lived at times in The Netherlands. I love the country. RNW-daily English email newpaper has allowed me to keep in touch with The Netherlands, the culture, daily happenings, the politics and more. It provides topics of conversation for my contacts with Dutch friends and I am the one who keeps Dutch American friends up to date with the news. In some cases I have given people headed for the first time to The Netherlands printouts on nuseums or exhibitions and they have enjoyed their experiences. RNW is is very important in my life and losing this would be very difficult for me. Thanks you for the excellent work that your news company provides for all of us.
Hilda Versluys
Here at RNW we are reading all of your comments, and we greatly appreciate your warm support. Your feedback helps us to continue working for you as long as we can.
So on behalf of the English web team at Radio Netherlands Worldwide, it's a heartfelt "Thank you very much" to all of you.
At this point in time we don't know yet how RNW will look in 2013 when the cuts will be felt. But we feel sure that if we're still around, you will be out there too, to read and listen to us, the international voice of the Netherlands.
Stay tuned, keep clicking!
Rob Kievit
Senior Editor, RNW English website
I'm listening "RNW" since 1980's. This is the very best radio station,which has a very big audience for its, wonderful programmings,researches on all aspects of tenderness to technology. This station was the boon for "media lovers", especially who lives in the developing countries. I humbly requesting on behalf of thousands & thousands of listeners, all over the world, reconsider the decision about the continuation of RNW's further development. If you the people at the Government of Netherlands, much take much interest to bring back & action to strengthen, support RNW. 2011 could not be the bad year for us & RNW.
I have listened to RNW past 20 years , it is shocking to see 70% cut in budget , Hope Netherlands Government reviews this cut
Sad to read Mr.Andy Sennitt's letter. My request to the government is the axe % be moderate to enable the broadcaster to reduce the duration of the programs. If there is no consideration, as has been reported it is a CLEAN demolition.
I received my master education from the Netherlands, and I lived in Amsterdam for nearly 3 years. In a way part of me is dutch now, and despite that I don't live in the Netherlands anymore I might refer to the Netherlands as home. RNW is the best way to connect with home, and to find out whats happening and whats going on, not only in the Netherlands, but in the whole world itself.
The best English web-site about The Netherlands which reflects the hot issues and, I presume, one of the best Internet based journalism. A real connection for those who does not know Dutch but wants to get some sense about this avande garde society. Hope the stuff can manage to keep this quality with this budget cuts.
I remember fondly my short-wave connection with home while studying in Canada and working in the UK, USA and Singapore which later became a donwloadable MP3 to listen on-demand while commuting to work or waiting at airports. But should it be just a memory? No! Both for Dutch(wo)men abroad and people who need to learn Dutch, RNW Dutch language programming provides a wealth of programming not available from Radio 1 through 5. As to the RNW foreign language programming, who will explain to the world what 16 million Dutch(wo)men are about. I guess a letter to several politicians is (over)due.
When are the Dutch people going to wake up and throw this right-wing christian group out of government. Remember, first they came after them, I didn't care, then they came after me.
RNW is the best, the Dutch leaders need to understand this..
Radio Netherlands's music programs are outstanding! I turn to RN to hear music which is all too often unavailable on radio in the USA. I can't and won't tell my Dutch friends how to run their country and government, but silencing just a small part of RN makes the Netherlands a little less prominent in the world!
Ofschoon ik al een keer gereageerd heb, ben ik bang dat mijn eerste reactie is zoekgeraakt. Ik vind het niet terug in Uw lijst disussions.
Daarom nogmaals: ik zou het heel erg vinden als ik dit dagelijkse uurtje zou moeten missen.
Ik heb 20 jaar in Afrika gewerkt, waar ik dagelijks luisterde via korte golf. Het was soms een lijdensweg, om het geluid goed door te krijgen.Toch zou ik dit uurtje rnw. nooit overslaan.
Nu woon ik weer zo'n 20 jaar in de Filippinen, waar ik daglijks luister via intrnet: een zegen. Het geluid zo duidlijk alsof ik in Nderland was. Dit luisteruurtje is me heilig, en ik zal het nooit overlaan. Je zou het onmisbaar kunnen noemen.
Ik zou het dan ook vreselijk vinden, het te moeten gaan missen. Op mijn leeftijd is er niet veel meer, dat je nog echt interesseert. "RNW." Blijft me intensief interesseren.
Adriaan van den Elshout
Dit bericht is bestemd voor luisteraar Adriaan van den Elshout;
Wordt het niet eens tijd om je zonden te bedenken en er iets aan te doen.
Mijn broer gaat er al bijna zijn hele leven aan onderdoor, door iets wat jij hem in zijn jeugd hebt aangedaan. Grote schande.
I have been listening to Radio Nederland Wereldomroep / Radio Netherlands since the summer of 1973 when 73 meant Best regards in the international short wave community. It seems to me that best regards is in short supply with the Dutch Government decision to make massive cuts to RNW. Surely there is still some goodwill left in The Netherlands Government , RNW has served as a great ambassador for your country for many years now. You are making a big mistake in cutting its budget and the Goodwill generated over the years. RNW has tought and entertained me for so many years now to understand what The Netherlands stands for , please don't throw all the goodwill away with these studip budget cuts before its too late.
I have been a faithful visitor to the RNW web site since 1998 to listen to Radio Netherlands and read the news articles (and I receive the news feeds via email). To the Dutch Government officials: please do not cut RNW's budget. RNW does your country a great service since foreigners alike myself, who love your country and your culture, keep discovering more about it. Please do not close our window into your beautiful country.
Also, RNW, with its superior journalism standards also offers a much appreciated interpretation on European and world events that is detached from the usual big players in media who serve only the interests of their big countries.
As a citizen of the world, I appreciate and need RNW and it would be a great loss not only the Dutch citizens living abroad but also to someone like me.
Why don't the Dutch government charge larger taxes to intensive fossil fuels companies to equilibrate its finances instead of making this ridiculous budget cuts? RNW stands for quality in the middle of excessive junk around... and i can say that as RNW listener for almost 15 years (starting with the radio programs re-transmitted in Spanish language in the Colombian media)
Cutting so drastically in resources for this so wonderful Dutch institute who keeps the free word, humanism, tolerance and quality so high in her banner, giving a voice worldwide to those who need it is an ultimate act of barbarism. I fear this governent. As a Dutchman living abroad I'm sad,deeply ashamed and incredibly angry.
This is an outrage. Government officials have no idea the amount of goodwill RNW has provided the Netherlands abroad. I started listening in high school in 1982, and the insight, culture, and honest coverage of news both within Holland and around the world delivered a positive impression about the country I would have never had without RNW. It has stayed with me throughout my life.
Cuts of this kind are simply ludicrous and will turn RNW's profile into something akin to Radio Canada International these days -- an afterthought. RCI's programming is now effectively for new immigrants to Canada, hardly relevant to listeners abroad. With these kinds of cuts, RNW will be reduced to something akin to Polish Radio -- not a bad station, but not one I clamor to hear.
I recognize the days of shortwave broadcasting to the developed world is of dying interest, and I access most of RNW through podcasts and World Radio Network. The cost savings from not delivering 250,000+ watts of power to transmitters broadcasting overseas should have helped, but I see government officials are back for more slashing.
RNW is a cheap price to pay for the top 5 standing the station receives globally. RNW stands with Voice of America, BBC World Service, and Voice of Russia in prominence. Let's not throw that all away. We'll be involved to help any way we can!
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