The NPO and individual broadcasters have called on the Dutch Parliament to not declare the reforms proposed by the caretaker government as controversial. The organizations also call for the planned budget cuts to be scrapped.
In a letter to the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, the broadcasters write that they want to “stay the course” and continue to innovate. Under the Schoof government, the broadcasters faced significant budget cuts and reforms. For example, the broadcasters must merge into four or five broadcasting houses.
However, the reforms would not “keep pace” with the budget cuts. “The budget cuts threaten to fall as early as 2027, while the financial benefits of reforming the system can only be enjoyed from 2029 at the earliest,” the organizations write.
According to the broadcasters, the reforms should ensure greater efficiency, less “administrative burden” and a digital transition. The budget cuts would counteract this. “We urge a review of this process, so that reform and budget cuts do not take place in the wrong order, but simultaneously.”
On Tuesday, the cabinet under Prime Minister Dick Schoof fell after PVV leader Geert Wilders left the coalition. As a result, the cabinet is caretaker until the elections on October 29. The Dutch Parliament decides on which subjects the caretaker government can and cannot make decisions, by declaring subjects controversial.