Public broadcaster NTR set for elimination as Dutch cabinet pushes major media reform

Every broadcaster, whether it is a single broadcaster or a collection of broadcasting houses, should not focus on its own philosophy of life, but on the public...

NTR director Lucas Goes has reacted with disbelief to the intention of Minister Bruno Bruins (Culture) to end the broadcaster. The news comes "like a bolt from the blue", according to Goes. "We were under the impression that the NTR would be given a place in a newly formed task house in the new system."

Minister Bruins wants to scrap task broadcaster NTR, known for programs such as Klokhuis and Sinterklaasjournaal, when reforming public broadcasting. The legal task of NTR must be fulfilled by the four or five broadcasting houses that are central to his plan.

The government believes that public broadcasting is outdated. The system is being "fundamentally" changed, says Minister Bruins.

Broadcaster NTR is disappearing from the air. The broadcaster, known for programs such as Dream School, Het Klokhuis and Het Sinterklaasjournaal, is falling victim to the major budget cuts by Minister Eppo Bruins (Media). NTR director Lucas Goes, for whom the news came as a complete surprise, is ‘shocked and incredibly angry’. “It’s like taking the heart out of public broadcasting.”

“If I ask the minister whether things are going well at the moment with regard to the dignity and safety of Jewish and Israeli academics, will the minister say yes wholeheartedly?” There was a brief silence after I asked this question in the debate on the OCW budget in the Senate. Then Minister Bruins began what he himself called a “cultural review”.