The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) is concerned about the decision by regulator ACM to approve the acquisition of RTL Nederland by DPG Media. According to the trade union, insufficient account has been taken of the risks to the media sector and journalism.
The NVJ states that the merger could have major consequences for the competitive position in the Dutch media world. “The emergence of a company that is so much larger and more powerful than its competitors in proportion upsets the balance in the market and potentially puts freelance journalists and employees in a disadvantageous position.”
The NVJ also warns of the power that the new combination will have in the field of data and opinion formation. According to the union, the merged media company will soon provide almost the entire Dutch public with news. “That poses a major risk if this company is taken over by a (foreign) party with a possible political interest.”
The Belgian publisher DPG Media owns NU.nl, but also has newspapers such as the AD, de Volkskrant and Trouw in its portfolio, as well as radio station Qmusic and JOE. RTL Nederland is responsible for the channels RTL 4, RTL 5, RTL 7, RTL 8 and RTL Z and the streaming platform Videoland.
Although the NVJ acknowledges that the ACM has taken into account previously submitted objections, it doubts whether the measures taken are sufficient. The journalists’ union says it will further study the decision of the regulator.
On Friday it was announced that DPG Media is acquiring RTL Nederland for 1.1 billion euros. The takeover has been approved under six conditions.