Flemish media watchdog warns: “Local diversity under pressure”

The Flemish media regulator (VRM) has warned that growing concentration in the region’s media sector may threaten the diversity of news and entertainment on offer. In a report published on Tuesday, the watchdog says falling sales, shrinking advertising revenues and rising costs are placing particular strain on the printed press.

Although major Flemish media groups have increased their overall turnover in recent years, their profit margins continue to decline. To boost income, many rely on advertising. But here they face tough competition from global tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Amazon. According to the VRM, this financial pressure pushes companies towards mergers and collaborations that reduce local variety.

Five media groups now control between 80 and 100 per cent of the Flemish market: VRT, DPG Media, Roularta, Mediahuis and Play. The report highlights Mediahuis’s recent decision to place Het Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen under a single editor-in-chief as an example of how consolidation may curb diversity.

Print outlets are struggling most, hit by lower sales, dwindling ad income, high distribution costs, logistical problems and inflation.

There is, however, a bright spot: digital subscriptions continue to grow. Several newspapers now sell more than half their subscriptions online. De Tijd leads with 79,7 per cent, followed by De Morgen at 76,1 per cent and De Standaard at 62,3 per cent.

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