The new government coalition agreement states that in future Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) will be funded from the development cooperation budget, which falls under the foreign ministry.
The coalition agreement also states that RNW is to focus on its core responsibilities. Dutch media laws state that RNW is to:
- Provide independent information to countries with an information deficit;
- Disseminate a realistic image of the Netherlands abroad;
- And inform Dutch speakers abroad.
RNW budget cuts
Radio Netherlands Worldwide is to lose 70 percent of its budget and refocus on one task: the promotion of free speech.
Latest news on the future of Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Articles:
- Petition to members of the Dutch Parliament
- 70 percent off RNW budget
- World citizens: save RNW
- Sweeping changes, services axed
- RNW's Free Speech, Dutch Values plan
“Most of our journalistic activities are directed at audiences abroad; we publish in ten languages covering large parts of the world desperate for the information we provide. On the other hand, the Dutch economy is almost fully dependent on foreign countries”.
Geert Wilders' Freedom Party, which will support the new minority government in parliament, has always argued that RNW has become redundant. The party says that the introduction of the internet and the mobile phone mean there is no longer a need for a Dutch international service to inform Dutch people abroad. However, the agreement about parliamentary support between the conservative VVD, the Christian Democrat party CDA and the Freedom Party does not even mention RNW.
Until now RNW has been funded by the education, culture and science ministry. Dutch media laws and RNW's editorial statutes guarantee independent journalism. This also holds true for all other Dutch public broadcasting organisations, which will continue to fall under the education, culture and science ministry but will have to cut costs by 200 million euros (from a total budget of 900 million). The cuts are not permitted to affect the quality of programming. If they do, one of the three public television networks will be scrapped.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
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Congratulations to the RNW company. Great to know that RNW is safe and sound, though under another govt. deptt. Best wishes always!
I don't agree with Geert Wilders' Freedom Party stance on RNW. Don't forget: Communication is 50% of the battle in the Information Age. Say it once, say it twice, and keep on saying it, and when you've finished, you'll know you've still not said enough.
by the way I am sure this not going to effect the Media training activities conducted by RNTC, which functioning under RNW.
Geert being aside from his government partners on this topic, will take this issue further in future should the PVV gain more power and influence. The idea of editorial independence would then become a seriously sensitive subject Geert would love to curtail, as it would mean less foreign insight into The PVV and how it is affecting the Netherlands. This is only the beginning.
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