Netherlands

[NL] Dutch Media Act Amended

IRIS 2005-10:1/32

Mara Rossini

Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam

As of 1 September 2005, amendments to the Mediawet (Dutch Media Act) introduced by a bill adopted in mid-July have entered into force. The bill modifies the organizational infrastructure of the national public broadcasting service with a view to a more efficient coordination of supervisory, administrative and professional procedures. The Supervisory Board has for example been given a new structure (art. 18a) and a new advisory organ has been set up (art. 18c). A “negligence provision” has been introduced (art. 30a) as well as “performance-based” contracts (art. 30b). The former is designed to hold the umbrella organization accountable for any future negligence in overseeing the three main bodies it regroups (the Supervisory Board, the Administrative Board and the new advisory organ) that might fail to adequately fulfil the goals of the public broadcasting service. The latter measures the public broadcasting service's programme supply and audience reach in accordance with predetermined agreements. As far as financial means are concerned, the Administrative Board will dispose of 25 % of the total allocated budget, which can be used to enhance the public broadcasting service's programming in particular with regard to the public service mission it fulfils and cultural considerations (increase of programmes dedicated to theatre, film, opera, classical music…).