All established news media in the Netherlands, including those in our sample, have an editorial statute with the following main characteristics:
- a procedure for the appointment of editors-in-chief or other managerial functions;
- most media have a newsroom council, representing the editors and those involved in the appointment procedures;
- editors can influence the appointment of the editor-in-chief (for instance, BNR Nieuwsradio’s new editor-in-chief was suggested via e-mail by its former editor-in-chief, as well as its management, however, this was not in line with the editorial statute, and after editorial protest, a correct procedure based on open applications was set up);
- editors-in-chief need to be supported by editors, otherwise they will be toppled;
- in summary, staff decisions are taken by the owners and executives, but in connection with newsroom staff.
Most recent news platforms have put in place an editorial statute. In practice, the founders automatically become editors-in-chief (see FTM, Investico, VersBeton, and tpo.nl). FTM has no editorial statute yet but, is working on one. Tpo.nl has an editorial statute, but there are no rules with respect to the appointment of the editor-in-chief.
In general, there is an open debate culture in the country based on which news stories are selected and presented in the news media. However, editors-in-chief have the last word, among other things, on the themes that are selected and whether diversity of news sources is an issue or not. Although most journalists try to stress their independence (which is also clearly imbedded in the editorial statutes), the editorial line is often a reflection of a news medium’s ideological orientation (according to our interviews with Huub Evers and Piet Bakker). For instance, tpo.nl and De Telegraaf have a right-wing sensibility, while NRC Handelsblad is more liberal and de Volkskrant or De Groene Amsterdammer are labelled as progressive. Editorial meetings are scheduled on a regular basis, but editors are expected to introduce ideas, perspectives, and news stories at any time. Editorial meetings normally take place at the office, but they have gone online since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to some journalists, a lack of face-to-face interactions has made their job more difficult.
Meanwhile, none of our interviewees mentioned internal rules meant to support female journalists in their careers or help them access managerial positions. No indications were given that women were paid less than men. The man–woman ratio among editorial staff was also more or less equal, although it was reported to be a matter of importance.
