This year, the cabinet will invest millions in local media and investigative journalism. State Secretary Gunay Uslu (Culture and Media, D66) said so on Tuesday announced† This year, a total of 11 million euros will go to local public broadcasters, and 2.4 million extra will go to investigative journalism projects. In addition, the cabinet is working on a plan to improve press freedom and security.
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Local broadcasters (TV, radio) will receive more than half of the amount (6.5 million euros) to be able to hire more journalists and train employees. With the remaining 4.5 million, the broadcasters can invest in digital journalism and innovative journalistic projects. Uslu considers it important that NOS, regional and local broadcasters continue to work together, for example by sharing video items and having journalists work for multiple broadcasters.
The 2.4 million euros in additional investments in investigative journalism comes on top of the 5 million euros previously established. The extra money should not only make room for more research projects, but also give media organizations the opportunity to train more investigative journalists and train journalists. The money will go to the Stimulation Fund for Journalism and the Fund for Special Journalistic Projects.
According to Uslu, the cabinet will also focus on press safety, the future of public broadcasting and strengthening the Dutch media sector in 2022. The State Secretary calls independent media “indispensable for a well-functioning democracy” and wants all journalists in the Netherlands to be able to do their work “independently, at full strength and without restrictions”.