Digital Dutch output of RNW to continue

Dutchabroad.nl is to continue some of the Dutch language activities that are no longer part of Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s activities. The newly established media organisation will maintain a Dutch language website and social media, e-mail bulletins and digital newspaper de Wereldkrant.

Steep budget cuts and a limitation of statutory duties imposed by the Dutch government have meant a far-reaching reorganisation for RNW. The company’s new brief is restricted to promoting free speech in areas where people are not free to gather information or to form and express independent opinions.

The Dutchabroad initiative is the brainchild of Thomas Arts, editor of de Wereldkrant and one of the RNW employees recently made redundant. “We want to become THE platform for all Dutch people who live and work abroad, who are planning to do so or who are returning to the Netherlands,” says Arts.

The new organisation aims to eventually provide a total packet of news, services and products relevant to the more than 1 million Dutch expats. The site will also offer a social forum for Dutch people living and working abroad.

The project has been in the planning since it became clear last year that changes to the laws governing RNW meant it would no longer be responsible for providing Dutch-language information outside the Netherlands. “Within a short time we were inundated with reactions from people saying how important our digital products were to them,” says Arts, ”and how upset they’d be if we disappeared. That’s why I started working towards launching Dutchabroad.nl