MA
A quite shocking report revealed today by commercial news program RTL Nieuws. They cited a confidential report of the Media Commissariat, the authority to monitor broadcasting.
A public broadcaster, WNL, entering the public broadcasting system in 2005, seems to work like a cash machine for its promoters in the first day, Telegraaf Media Groep (TMG). TMG is responsible for the biggest newspaper in the country, De Telegraaf (800.000 readers daily). The editor in chief of the newspaper thought there were no programmes for right-wing-adepts.
As you might know, anyone can start a public broadcasting organisation in the Netherlands, as long as you manage to get 50.000 members. TMG succeeded. At the beginning, the Culture Minister warned TMG and WNL not to make the relations between the two organisations too tight. Of course they said it would not be happening.
Now, a report revealed the public broadcaster is dependent on the Telegraaf Media Groep for its production (by the Telegraaf Video Groep). It costed the broadcaster 4.6 million euros only in 2011. The independence of the broadcaster was endangered as well, was one of the conclusions of the Media Commissariat.
So, TMG brought a public broadcaster, which makes profit for the company...
Another TMG sub-company, GeenStijl (a shockblog), brought in a public broadcasting organisation: PowNed (Publieke Omroep voor Weldenkend Nederland, Public Broadcasting Company for the Well-Thinking Netherlands) as well. The editor in chief declared in 2005 at the beginning he would do as much as he can to obtain tax payer's money and spend it like a big spender. Now, he is one of the best-paid presenters/chiefs in the system. There are no allegations this broadcaster also has too tight connections, but it is quite remarkable.
How long shall this system maintain? At least until December. There are plans to reduce the amount of public broadcasters from 21 to 8. PowNed and WNL will be part of this system as well, maybe they'll go together with education and minority broadcaster NTR. After 2014, it will be tougher to enter the public broadcasting system.
A public broadcaster, WNL, entering the public broadcasting system in 2005, seems to work like a cash machine for its promoters in the first day, Telegraaf Media Groep (TMG). TMG is responsible for the biggest newspaper in the country, De Telegraaf (800.000 readers daily). The editor in chief of the newspaper thought there were no programmes for right-wing-adepts.
As you might know, anyone can start a public broadcasting organisation in the Netherlands, as long as you manage to get 50.000 members. TMG succeeded. At the beginning, the Culture Minister warned TMG and WNL not to make the relations between the two organisations too tight. Of course they said it would not be happening.
Now, a report revealed the public broadcaster is dependent on the Telegraaf Media Groep for its production (by the Telegraaf Video Groep). It costed the broadcaster 4.6 million euros only in 2011. The independence of the broadcaster was endangered as well, was one of the conclusions of the Media Commissariat.
So, TMG brought a public broadcaster, which makes profit for the company...
Another TMG sub-company, GeenStijl (a shockblog), brought in a public broadcasting organisation: PowNed (Publieke Omroep voor Weldenkend Nederland, Public Broadcasting Company for the Well-Thinking Netherlands) as well. The editor in chief declared in 2005 at the beginning he would do as much as he can to obtain tax payer's money and spend it like a big spender. Now, he is one of the best-paid presenters/chiefs in the system. There are no allegations this broadcaster also has too tight connections, but it is quite remarkable.
How long shall this system maintain? At least until December. There are plans to reduce the amount of public broadcasters from 21 to 8. PowNed and WNL will be part of this system as well, maybe they'll go together with education and minority broadcaster NTR. After 2014, it will be tougher to enter the public broadcasting system.