Radio Netherlands Worldwide is adjusting its journalistic focus concentrate more on informing people in countries where press freedom is not a given. In addition, RNW will serve as the journalistic calling card of the Netherlands. The new focus 'Free speech, Dutch values', comes ahead of a cabinet decision about budget cuts to public broadcasting. RNW expects that a final, detailed version of the coalition's plans for the media will be published in mid June. The coalition agreement states that "RNW will focus on its core tasks including freedom of speech while funding will be provided by the foreign ministry."
Opportunities
Director General Jan Hoek clarifies: “This is a logical step. Many of our activities mesh seamlessly with foreign ministry policies, including the promotion of free speech and propagating Dutch values. This makes RNW an important journalistic calling card for the Netherlands as a trading nation and a champion of international law.”
Recent research shows that less than 30 percent of the global population has access to the internet, which is strictly censored by a number of countries.
“We reach the greater part of our audience via local media organisations which re-broadcast RNW content. In this way, RNW reaches tens of millions of people in their own language, meeting their information needs. External research has confirmed that new technological developments have not made RNW redundant, but rather offer new opportunities to make a difference.”
New course
Jan Hoek expects that budget cuts will be part of the final cabinet media plan. "With this new course, we will be ready. Because, just like all other public broadcasters, we will have to make a contribution to the necessary budget cuts. It is difficult, but with this new course we are making a proportional contribution. We are reducing our budget from 46 million euros to 36 million euros, or about 20 percent.”
If RNW's new focus meets with government approval, the reduction would be realised by winding down Dutch-language activities and short-wave broadcasts (by closing two transmitting stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, for example). About 100 jobs will probably be lost in Hilversum and the islands.
(gsh/as/imm)
Opportunities
Director General Jan Hoek clarifies: “This is a logical step. Many of our activities mesh seamlessly with foreign ministry policies, including the promotion of free speech and propagating Dutch values. This makes RNW an important journalistic calling card for the Netherlands as a trading nation and a champion of international law.”
Recent research shows that less than 30 percent of the global population has access to the internet, which is strictly censored by a number of countries.
“We reach the greater part of our audience via local media organisations which re-broadcast RNW content. In this way, RNW reaches tens of millions of people in their own language, meeting their information needs. External research has confirmed that new technological developments have not made RNW redundant, but rather offer new opportunities to make a difference.”
New course
Jan Hoek expects that budget cuts will be part of the final cabinet media plan. "With this new course, we will be ready. Because, just like all other public broadcasters, we will have to make a contribution to the necessary budget cuts. It is difficult, but with this new course we are making a proportional contribution. We are reducing our budget from 46 million euros to 36 million euros, or about 20 percent.”
If RNW's new focus meets with government approval, the reduction would be realised by winding down Dutch-language activities and short-wave broadcasts (by closing two transmitting stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, for example). About 100 jobs will probably be lost in Hilversum and the islands.
(gsh/as/imm)
(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
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