Belgium
Belgian broadcasting mirrors the unique political and linguistic nature of the country. The cultural communities, rather than the federal authorities, are responsible for regulating radio and TV. As a result, Belgium has two separate public broadcasting organizations, with their own regulations, running their own radio, TV and external broadcasting. Some 95 per cent of Belgians receive cable TV, one of the highest take-up rates in the world. The cable services offer dozens of domestic and foreign channels, including Dutch and French TV stations. The Belgian press is self-regulated by the Federation of Editors - to which all editors of major newspapers belong. A small number of media groups own the main newspaper titles.
Press: Principal daily newspapers are La Lanterne, La Libre Belgique, La Meuse, Le Soir (French) and De Morgen, De Gentenaar, De Standaard, Het Laatste Nieuws, Het Nieuwsblad, De Financieel Economische Tijd, a business publication, (Dutch) and Grenz-Echo (German). There is an English-language magazine, The Bulletin, printed in Belgium.
Television: RTBF, the French-language public broadcaster, operates RTBF 1, RTBF 2 and international satellite channels. VRT, the Flemish public broadcaster, offers services such as Een (one). VTM and VT4 are Flemish commercial broadcasters. RTL is a French-language commercial broadcaster.
Radio: The network operated by RTBF, the French-language public broadcaster, includes stations such as La Premiere, Radio 21 and external service RTBF International. The network operated by VRT, the Flemish public broadcaster, includes Radio 1, Studio Brussel and external service Radio Vlaanderen International (RVI). Belgischer Rundfunk (BRF) broadcasts in German.
