BEOwnership & classification
Founded: 1918
Ownership
De Standaard is a Flemish daily that grew out of a Catholic-Flemish publishing initiative formed in 1914 and began publication in 1918. After being rescued from financial trouble by businessman Andre Leysen's Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij (VUM, later Corelio), it is today published by Mediahuis, the Flemish media group created in 2014 from the merger of Corelio and Concentra. Mediahuis is controlled by Flemish family/holding shareholders and also owns titles such as Het Nieuwsblad, NRC (Netherlands) and Irish titles.
Funding
Funded commercially through newspaper sales, a digital subscription/paywall and advertising within the Mediahuis group; it does not depend on state or party money.
Affiliation & stance
De Standaard was historically a Catholic, Christian-Democratic paper but has formally renounced those ideological ties and is owned by a private commercial media group with no party or state control, supporting an INDEPENDENT classification. Its editorial stance is now broadly centrist/quality-press, leaning slightly liberal-centre, consistent with the site's INDEPENDENT / CENTER tag.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 251
77/100
Factual
75/100
Objective
437
Articles
437
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Coupe du monde 2026 : les Diables Rouges qualifiés en tenant leur rang face à la Nouvelle-Zélande et terminent premiers du groupe
Police warn of traffic jam due to visit of Japanese imperial couple
Six dead and one wounded in a 'family tragedy' near a youth centre in the northern German town of Stade
MR links partial privatisation of Belfius to merger with Ethias
The lead burned in Anderlecht was only allowed to be used as storage: "The victims who died were authorised"
Three wounded in bomb blast in Monaco, target was Ukrainian businessman
Philippe Albert débriefe Belgique – Nouvelle-Zélande : « Je n’ai peur de personne dans ce tournoi
Out-of-school care possibly twice as expensive from 1 September
Starmer government pauses new ‘major’ policy announcements
Recent coverage
The suspect in the bombing of a Ukrainian businessman in Monaco is a compatriot dressed as a man.
A suspect in the bombing attack against an Ukrainian businessman in Monaco has been identified as a national who was dressed as a man. The article reports that the individual, who is from the same country as the victim, was wearing male clothing at the time of the incident. This detail suggests potential complexities regarding identity and gender presentation, which may be relevant to understanding the circumstances of the attack. The focus of the report is on identifying the suspect and highlighting the unusual aspect of their appearance during the crime.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Emergency services take care of lonely elderly after 'unprecedented' heat weekend: 'Unusually high number of deaths at home recorded in Brussels'
A concerning rise in deaths among elderly individuals living alone was reported in Brussels following an unusually hot weekend. Emergency services and home care providers expressed worry about the number of unexplained fatalities observed during this period. The heatwave, which occurred unexpectedly, led to a significant increase in heat-related health issues, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly. Authorities and caregivers are now calling for increased awareness and support systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Tops and flops: this was the first day of Rock Werchter
The article discusses the first day of the Rock Werchter music festival, highlighting both positive and negative aspects. It mentions the large crowd and enthusiastic atmosphere as positives, while noting issues such as overcrowding, long lines, and logistical challenges as negatives. The piece provides a general overview of the event's opening day without taking a clear stance on the overall success or failure of the festival.
BTS: Brussels is catching up with K-pop - About
The article titled 'BTS : Bruxelles se met à l’heure de la K-pop' by Le Soir discusses Brussels' growing interest in K-pop, particularly highlighting the global success of the South Korean boy band BTS. The piece likely explores how the group has influenced cultural trends in Belgium and possibly touches on their impact on local music scenes or youth culture. While the headline suggests a positive tone toward the band's influence, the content does not provide specific details on initiatives taken by Brussels authorities or any direct policy changes related to K-pop. The focus appears to be more on cultural appreciation and recognition rather than formal governmental action.
Remodeling Paris Opera delayed three years by toxic lead concentrations
The renovation of the Paris Opera has been delayed by three years due to the discovery of toxic lead concentrations in the building materials. The presence of high levels of lead poses health risks and requires additional safety measures during the renovation process. This delay highlights concerns over historical buildings and their potential hazardous materials. Authorities are now working to ensure safe handling of these materials while proceeding with the renovations.
Roger Vangheluwe (1936-2026) deceased, the former bishop who opened the cesspool of church abuse
Roger Vangheluwe, een vroeger bisschop die bekend staat als de persoon die de zaak rond seksueel misbruik binnen de kerk openlegde, is overleden op 70-jarige leeftijd. Zijn werk had een grote impact op de discussie over kerkelijk misbruik en leidde tot belangrijke veranderingen in de houding van de kerk ten opzichte van seksuele misdaad. De Standaard rapporteert over zijn overlijden zonder verdere details.
Mumford & Sons pulled out all the stops to capture Rock Werchter: hits, fireworks and even Pommelien Thijs
The article reports that the British band Mumford & Sons performed at the Rock Werchter music festival, utilizing their popular songs, fireworks, and even featuring Pommelien Thijs, a Belgian singer known for her folk style. The piece highlights the band's efforts to captivate the audience during their performance at the event.
Madonna heals with beating house music, heartfelt words and Stromae on her new album Confessions II
The article discusses Madonna's new album 'Confessions II', highlighting its blend of aggressive house music, heartfelt lyrics, and collaboration with Belgian artist Stromae. The piece emphasizes the emotional depth and musical style of the album, positioning it as a continuation of Madonna's artistic evolution. It mentions the album's release and its thematic focus on personal reflection and vulnerability. No specific controversy or political angle is presented in the content.
Miljarden aan onbetaalde bijdragen wurgen VN
The article discusses the issue of unpaid contributions to the United Nations (UN), highlighting concerns over financial obligations owed by member states. It emphasizes the growing burden these unpaid dues place on the UN’s operational capacity and sustainability. The piece suggests that this financial strain could impact the effectiveness of global initiatives and humanitarian efforts. While the article presents the problem as a significant challenge, it does not offer detailed solutions or alternative perspectives on how to address the issue.
De belofte van eeuwige groei: 16 keer zoveel kattenfilmpjes!
The article titled 'De belofte van eeuwige groei: 16 keer zoveel kattenfilmpjes!' by De Standaard humorously highlights the exponential growth of cat videos online, suggesting they have become more popular than traditional content. The piece uses a metaphor comparing this trend to economic growth, implying that while other forms of media may stagnate, cat videos continue to thrive. It does not provide specific data or statistics but rather presents the phenomenon as a cultural observation. The tone is lighthearted and satirical, focusing on entertainment value rather than serious analysis.
Bouchez droomt van het unitaire België waarin de Vlamingen quantité négligeable waren
The article discusses the political aspirations of Bouchez, who envisions a unitary Belgium where Flemish people are considered 'quantité négligeable' (negligible quantity). This reflects a strong pro-French sentiment and a desire to diminish the political influence of Flanders within the Belgian state. The phrasing suggests a significant ideological stance favoring a centralized, French-dominated Belgium over a more decentralized or federal structure. The article highlights the tension between linguistic communities and the central government.
Belgium can look to Germany for its growth plan
The article titled 'België kan voor zijn groeiplan naar Duitsland kijken' by De Standaard suggests that Belgium might look to Germany for inspiration or guidance in developing its growth strategy. The piece appears to focus on economic development and potential collaboration between Belgium and Germany, possibly highlighting Germany's successful economic policies or models that could be adapted in Belgium. While the article does not provide specific details on the proposed strategies or concrete plans, it implies a shift in direction or a new approach to economic growth that may involve learning from German practices. The tone seems to present Germany as a potential model, but without explicit criticism of Belgium’s current approach.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
