It goes without saying that it is the media’s prerogative to choose the extent of their role as a watchdog. For instance, De Telegraaf journalists maintained that their task was to report the news based on the perception of what their audience wants. As their newspaper is not affiliated with the Press Council, one may wonder whether it even has any concept of a watchdog. Quality newspapers de Volkskrant and NRC Handelsblad considered investigative journalism as their priority, noted Huub Evers. This is also the case for regional newspapers such as Twentsche Courant Tubantia,which won two “Tegels” awards (in 2009 and 2015) and was also nominated in 2020. De Tegel [The Tile] is a Dutch prize for journalism awarded since 2006. The 2019 winners included NRC Handelsblad (“background information” category), NOS and NRC Handelsblad (“news” category), Algemeen Dagblad (“reporting” category), Trouw and RTL Nieuws (“research”category), De Limburger (“regional/local” category), de Volkskrant (“text” category), and Investico (“pioneer” category).
Investigative online platforms such as Investico and FTM considered the watchdog role as part of their mission statements. Investico says on its website:
We strengthen the democratic rule of law by fuelling public debate. Not by presenting whipped-up scandals, but by explaining via news and research stories how decisions are made on social issues that are important to the Dutch audience, and by monitoring the implementation of these decisions.
The name of the FTM platform refers to the watchdog role: “When in doubt, follow the money”, or as mentioned on their website:
We do research on people, systems and organisations that misbehave (financially and economically) and thereby possibly cause damage to groups in society. Our weapon: radically independent journalism. “Follow the money” is our editorial Leitmotiv. Because if you follow the money trail you will discover the truth, whether it concerns care, the financial world, politics or education.
