29 June 2022
Nostalgia corner: tenth anniversary of Radio Netherlands closure
29 June 2022 marks the tenth anniversary of the closure of Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the international broadcaster that broadcast programmes across the world in Dutch, English and six other languages. The broadcaster launched in April 1947, with shortwave its mainstay distribution system for most of its life.
In 2011, the Dutch government decided to drastically reduce funding for Radio Netherlands’ international services, cutting its operational budget from EUR46m to just EUR14m, and to focus on promoting media freedom through a new organisations RNW Media, rather than serving audiences directly.
You can listen to a 20′ programme made by former Radio Netherlands Programme Director
Jonathan Marks (pictured right) on the day of the closure
here.
For those of us who grew up listening to programmes from Hilversum, the closure of the station was a sad day – and Jonathan’s recording brings back many memories.
1 November 2013
Increased collaboration is at the heart of a new agreement with Radio Netherlands Worldwide, the Broadcasting Board of Governors announced today. The agreement expands on the two global media organizations’ longstanding partnership and enhances their cooperation in the areas of journalism and media training, program distribution, audience and market research, Internet freedom, and others.
“We look forward to developing our relationship further with RNW in support of our shared mission of advancing freedom of information and expression worldwide,” said the BBG’s Director of Strategy and Development, Bruce Sherman. “Wherever we can pursue cost-effective synergies for mutual benefit, we will seek to do so.”
Commenting on the significance of the agreement for RNW, Director General Robert Zaal said, “For an online and social media organization such as ours, an exchange of ideas and cooperation in fields such as distribution and training is crucial. Teaming up is an explicit part of our strategy, and we expect to contribute to and profit from this agreement with BBG.”
The agreement includes a cooperative training program — to build indigenous journalistic capacity and support sustainable independent media — and shared distribution efforts aimed at improving reach to key audiences, particularly young adults.
Projects already in development include an exchange of innovation teams to pursue joint digital media ventures and journalism and media training for an upcoming international security summit.
Sherman and Zaal signed the agreement while attending the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Hanoi, Vietnam.
22 November 2012
The Association for International Broadcasting has today announced that it has appointed Amitabh Srivastava as its regional head in South Asia. This appointment is the first of a series of expansions of AIB’s work in a number of regions of the world.
As regional head, Srivastava (pictured right) will oversee the growth of AIB’s membership in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, countries where there is significant expansion in the number of TV channels and radio stations. Significantly, a growing number of these broadcasters are developing international services.
Srivastava will also be able to assist AIB’s existing members who are seeking to develop their businesses in the South Asia region, drawing on his experience in working for a range of major international brands. He has also developed partnerships between media owners and mobile operators in South Asia.
“I am delighted to welcome Amitabh to AIB,” said Simon Spanswick, AIB chief executive. “He has worked in the media sector in India representing major brands for a number of years and has achieved remarkable successes. Now we look forward to Amitabh leading AIB’s growth in one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing media markets.”
Commenting on his appointment, Amitabh Srivastava said “It is great to be joining the world’s leading industry association and supporting major international TV and radio broadcasters as well as service providers. I am looking forward to developing AIB’s membership base in South Asia and to involving more broadcasters from this region in global conversations.”
Amitabh Srivastava joins AIB from Radio Netherlands Worldwide where he was country manager. While at RNW, he developed the first partnership between All India Radio and an international broadcaster, and achieved significant rebroadcasting and content syndication deals with commercial FM stations and new media platforms in the region. Before RNW, Srivastava worked with Walt Disney, BBC, MTV and a range of other international media houses developing their operations in India andSouth Asia.
18 September 2012
The Board of Supervisors of Radio Netherlands Worldwide has appointed William Valkenburg (47) editor-in-chief as of 1 January 2013. Mr Valkenburg will set out the new course for the organisation with the recently appointed director general Robert Zaal. RNW will focus on free speech in countries where press freedom is limited and William Valkenburg will take responsibility for journalism within the organisation, he succeeds Rik Rensen.
Chairman of the Supervisory Board Bernard Bot is pleased with the appointment of Mr Valkenburg: “The organisation is now ready for a new future. His extensive experience of journalism and journalistic innovation, new media and change processes makes William is the right man at the right time.”
William Valkenburg: “The new organisation faces the challenge of reaching young people in the most difficult countries and giving them a taste of new media freedom. The opportunities are greater than ever before. I am looking forward to seeking original and creative ways to fulfil this brief with our experienced journalists and producers.”
For the last 25 years, Mr Valkenburg has worked as a journalist and manager at commercial and public broadcasting stations Veronica, VARA and NOS/NPO. His past functions include editor-in-chief of consumer programme Kassa and he is founder of the internet service Uitzending Gemist, which enables people to watch TV programmes they have missed online. Up until the beginning of the year William Valkenburg was director general of Internet & Innovatie at the Netherlands Public Broadcasting organisation (NPO). He is currently involved in innovation and change projects in the healthcare sector.
As of 2013, Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s main focus will be on Africa and the Arab World, as well as countries like China,Cuba and Venezuela.
27 July 2012
The Supervisory Board of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW) has appointed Robert Zaal as director of RNW 3.0 . From November 1, the 48-year-old will lead the implementation of RNW’s new direction, focussed on free speech. As of 2013, RNW will operate primarily in Africa and the Arab world, but also in countries such as China, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico.
The chairman of the board, Bernard Bot, is pleased with the appointment. In a statement, Bot said, “after the most turbulent and painful period in RNW’s history, the organisation is now almost ready to embark on its new future. Robert Zaal has extensive experience in the areas of free speech, media and management. He’s the right person in the right place.”
Robert Zaal said he was pleased with the step. “It’s an honour to be able to contribute to promoting free speech around the world. This is more than just a regular job for me. It will be a challenge, together with the new editor-in-chief, to steer RNW in this new phase. There’s a good plan for RNW 3.0 and we will implement it in a serious and business-like fashion.”
RNW’s current director, Jan Hoek, remains responsible for activities related to the winding down of the old organisation, including the Social Plan and the closure of the relay stations. Jan Hoek and Robert Zaal will meet shortly to discuss the details and timing of the transfer.
Robert Zaal began his career as secretary of the Dutch Journalists’ Association. Later, he became the director of the regional broadcasters’ association, ROOS. For the past nine years, Zaal has been director of RTV North Holland, which recently acquired theAmsterdamtelevision channel AT5, together with the AVRO broadcasting organisation and theAmsterdamnewspaper Het Parool. Zaal is married and has three children.
www.rnw.nl
