THE HAGUE, 29/10/05 - The Commissariat for the Media is urging a relaxation of statutory restrictions on cross-ownership among newspaper publishers, to allow them to develop into multimedia companies. This means that newspaper concerns should also be given the opportunity to apply for a TV or radio broadcasting licence.

"Relaxation is necessary to offer publishers the opportunity to develop themselves further in multimedia and thus increase their chances of survival," according to Inge Brakman of the Commissariat. "There is also a need to redefine the level playing field in the Netherlands, especially because RTL focuses on the Dutch market with a foreign licence, creating unequal opportunities for companies in this media market. There are restrictive regulations in the Netherlands, but no overall European rules."

In its report, the Commissariat reviews the markets for the printed press, television and radio. As well as relaxation of Dutch legislation, parallel discussion of harmonisation of EU media legislation should be encouraged. "Creation of equal opportunities for all parties that focus on the Dutch news market with news and information should be emphatically pursued."