The new executive of public broadcasting in the Netherlands, the Board of Management of NOS, published its first long-range plan this autumn. The licence payer is entitled to expect value for money. He at least has a right to know what is being done with his money. That means those in receipt of the funding must be accountable. The new Board of Management endorses this viewpoint in its planning document 'Meerjarenplan 1999-2002' which was published this autumn.
Public broadcasting has a central position in society, one it is pleased to occupy.
That situation calls for intensive communication with all sections of the public. From viewers and listeners to decision-makers and lobbyists in the political arena. This communication serves a number of purposes. Firstly, it is important to strengthen the image of the public broadcasting system in general and to confirm the need for public broadcasting. Then there is the desire to promote, and where necessary bring about, a place of prominence in the choice of viewers and listeners.