Foreword
The mission of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) is, in short, to make an important contribution to a better-informed world. We provide reliable and objective news to millions of people, who would otherwise have little or no access to information. News about what is happening in the world, about their own country, and their own situation, about relevant themes, from a Dutch perspective. In addition, we provide a window on Dutch society and culture for an international audience and we keep Dutch nationals abroad up-to-date with news, background and service information.
Reliable information and independent journalism are hugely important to any society, not just in the Netherlands, but also abroad. After all, people have to make choices on the basis of this information. Outside the Netherlands, RNW makes a large contribution to this aim; as such it is one of the five most influential international broadcasters. This is not just a responsibility of the Netherlands as a country with a prominent international position, but it also contributes significantly to that international position.
Two important principles for RNW are being distinctive and focused on our target groups. We work with other media organisations, both national and international, to reinforce our message and prevent overlapping. As a result, cooperation with media organisations on a national level such as the Netherlands Public Broadcasting Organisation (NPO), the domestic public broadcaster NOS and the regional broadcasters
Reliable information and independent journalism are hugely important to any society, not just in the Netherlands, but also abroad. After all, people have to make choices on the basis of this information. Outside the Netherlands, RNW makes a large contribution to this aim; as such it is one of the five most influential international broadcasters. This is not just a responsibility of the Netherlands as a country with a prominent international position, but it also contributes significantly to that international position.
Two important principles for RNW are being distinctive and focused on our target groups. We work with other media organisations, both national and international, to reinforce our message and prevent overlapping. As a result, cooperation with media organisations on a national level such as the Netherlands Public Broadcasting Organisation (NPO), the domestic public broadcaster NOS and the regional broadcasters
have been intensified in the last year and for the first time RNW worked together with daily newspapers NRC Handelsblad and Trouw. At an international level, there were joint projects with Al-Jazeera, BBC World Service and US National Public Radio as well as other stations. We also joined an extensive network of international public broadcasting stations and umbrella organisations.
Two prestigious international radio prizes we received in the past year demonstrate that our efforts are appreciated. The visitation committee report on RNW in 2009 was also positive about our public media duties: ‘We are under the impression that from the top to the bottom of the organisation, staff work with professionalism and dedication on the broadcasting organisation’s mission. (…) It is important to maintain a good journalistic infrastructure for the sake of democracy. Both within our borders and outside them.´
In 2009, there were a number of high profile projects in our programme. Projects which were a source of relevant, independent and reliable information for millions of people all over the world. In ten languages, via satellite, short wave radio, internet and TV. We are proud of this, and that is why we would like to tell you about them in this digital annual report.
Jan Hoek
Director General
May 2010
Two prestigious international radio prizes we received in the past year demonstrate that our efforts are appreciated. The visitation committee report on RNW in 2009 was also positive about our public media duties: ‘We are under the impression that from the top to the bottom of the organisation, staff work with professionalism and dedication on the broadcasting organisation’s mission. (…) It is important to maintain a good journalistic infrastructure for the sake of democracy. Both within our borders and outside them.´
In 2009, there were a number of high profile projects in our programme. Projects which were a source of relevant, independent and reliable information for millions of people all over the world. In ten languages, via satellite, short wave radio, internet and TV. We are proud of this, and that is why we would like to tell you about them in this digital annual report.
Jan Hoek
Director General
May 2010
