Belgium

[BE] Cable Networks in the Brussels Area Stop the Distribution of 'Nederland 3'

IRIS 1995-2:1/28

Ad van Loon

European Audiovisual Observatory

To make room for the disputed distribution of the programme of the new Flemish private commercial broadcaster VT4 of the Skandinavian/American media company SBS, cable operators in the Brussels area have decided to stop the distribution of the programme of Nederland 3, one of the public stations of the Netherlands.

This decision has lead to potests of, on the one hand, the Government of the Netherlands and, on the other hand, Dutch Members of the European Parliament and journalists.

The Dutch Government has pointed out to the Flemish Minister of Culture, Mr. H. Weckx, that according to the cultural treaty between Belgium and the Netherlands, Dutch cable networks are obliged to distribute the programmes of the Flemish public broadcasters and vice versa.

Dutch Members of the European Parliament and journalists argue that Nederland 3 foresees them of information that is of invaluable importance for the performance of their duties.