Dutch media regulator declines to rule on NPO’s Eurovision remit

The Dutch media regulator says it is not ruling on whether the NPO’s decision to send an entry to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest falls within the public broadcaster’s legal duties, saying it does not yet know all the facts. The decision has drawn opposition from broadcasters and NPO staff over Israel’s participation and the war in Gaza. [1]

The Commissariaat voor de Media (CvdM) told the ANP it does not supervise how the NPO carries out these specific statutory duties. The regulator said the NPO can interpret its legal responsibilities within the law, while the NPO’s supervisory board oversees whether its executive board carries out its duties properly. [1]

The NPO decided in late September that the Netherlands would take part in next year’s contest. AVROTROS, the broadcaster that has traditionally organised the Dutch entry, had decided not to participate because Israel was taking part and the war in Gaza was continuing. The NPO says it plans to use an external team of experts for the next edition; all member broadcasters have said their staff will not join that plan. [1]

The umbrella group for the member broadcasters wants to know how the decision was made. This week, 500 NPO employees also sent a letter urging the organisation’s board to withdraw from the contest. The NPO told Nieuws.nl it would continue talks with all parties but declined to answer further questions. [1]

The culture ministry’s spokesperson said the decision was for the NPO and broadcasters. The Council for Culture, an advisory body to the government and parliament on cultural matters including media, also declined to comment, saying the issue was not within its remit. [1]