Prior to Monday's parliamentary debate on public broadcasting, the RNW Action Committee has handed in several petitions to the House. More than 11,000 people have signed a petition to preserve the Dutch service.
Among the international petitions are 7,000 signatures from listeners who depend on programmes in one of the other nine languages in which RNW broadcasts. There are also petitions from former ambassadors, as well as business and journalism organizations.
Among the international petitions are 7,000 signatures from listeners who depend on programmes in one of the other nine languages in which RNW broadcasts. There are also petitions from former ambassadors, as well as business and journalism organizations.
RNW has been hit hard by the government's plans and its budget has been reduced by more than two-thirds. "We understand that there need to be cuts, but 70 percent of the budget means demolition," said Action Committe Chairman Iede de Vries Iede. He urged the postponement of a decision on RNW's budget.
Mr De Vries pointed out that 70 percent of the world's population have no access to the Internet, and many depend on radio for their information. He admitted that "New times and new technologies require a new, different RNW. We understand that there need to be cuts. RNW is prepared to make proportional contribution to this. Twenty percent off? We can achieve that with some pain and effort. Eighty percent off? That's demolition and dismantling."
Mr De Vries pointed out that 70 percent of the world's population have no access to the Internet, and many depend on radio for their information. He admitted that "New times and new technologies require a new, different RNW. We understand that there need to be cuts. RNW is prepared to make proportional contribution to this. Twenty percent off? We can achieve that with some pain and effort. Eighty percent off? That's demolition and dismantling."
(Source : Radio Netherlands Worldwide)
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