News item | 5/30/2023 | 4:00 pm
Local public broadcasters need more certainty about their financing and a more independent position in relation to municipalities. For this reason, local broadcasters will soon receive their money directly from the national government and no longer from the Municipal Fund. In addition, it is important that local broadcasters continue to professionalise and that their productions are of a higher quality. That is why State Secretary Uslu (Culture and Media) is investing an extra €16 million in the sector and the formation of larger broadcasters is being stimulated by imposing stricter quality requirements on local broadcasters.
Additional funding from the government
A local public broadcaster now gets its money through the local government. This means that such a broadcaster is dependent on the municipality for financing, while the same broadcaster must also be able to question this municipality critically. By having the money run through the government from 2026, the local broadcasters are sure of a financial basis. And that gives them a more independent position.
From 2026, the government will structurally invest €16 million extra in local public broadcasters, so that broadcasters can make more professional productions and hire professional journalists. In total, €28 million will be available annually for broadcasters. Together with the sector organization NLPO, State Secretary Uslu (Culture and Media) is taking steps towards an increasingly stronger broadcasting layer, in addition to the layer of national and regional broadcasters.
Larger broadcasters and stricter quality requirements
To be classified as a local public broadcaster, a (prospective) broadcaster must meet a number of requirements. From 2025, the government will increase these requirements. This is an incentive for the formation of larger broadcasters that are more professional, independent and financially sounder. For example, a larger broadcaster has more money to hire professional journalists. This benefits the quality of the productions.
These stricter requirements will be laid down in the Media Act and concern, for example, the professionalism and financial stability of a broadcaster. It must also be clear what the connection of the broadcaster is with the area for which the programs are made. The Media Authority assesses every five years whether a broadcaster meets the requirements. The Commissariat can designate a local public broadcaster for each area. Municipalities can give advice on this, so that the offer of a broadcaster is in line with the area in question.