BEOwnership & classification
Founded: 1930
Ownership
VRT NWS is the news service of the Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT), the public-service broadcaster for Belgium's Flemish Community. VRT is owned by the Flemish government. It was established in 1930 as the radio institute NIR, restructured as BRT in 1960, and became VRT in the late 1990s/2001 as a naamloze vennootschap van publiek recht (public limited company under public law), giving it operational autonomy while remaining publicly owned.
Funding
Funded mainly by a grant from the Flemish Government (about €304 million of a €509 million total budget in 2024, roughly 60%), with the remainder from advertising, distribution/licensing, sponsorship and content sales.
Affiliation & stance
VRT is owned by the Flemish government and primarily publicly funded, with a board of directors appointed by the government broadly mirroring the Flemish Parliament's political balance; this makes it STATE (a public-service broadcaster). It operates under a public-service management contract and maintains a centrist, impartial news remit, but ownership and majority funding are governmental.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 408
88/100
Factual
85/100
Objective
928
Articles
928
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
'Mega-consumers' of food and energy cost the environment $5.7 billion a year
UN: Israel continues to commit genocide by targeting children in Gaza
Dozens killed and wounded in wave of Pakistani bombings in Afghanistan
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
Magyar unveils reform plans to write new constitution, oust top Orbán appointees
The lead burned in Anderlecht was only allowed to be used as storage: "The victims who died were authorised"
Ebola cases in Congo rise to more than 1,300
Recent coverage
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
Cycling stop at Antwerp Central Station now above ground: "Previous place was lugubrious and did not smell fresh"
The headline reports that a bicycle parking point at Antwerp Central Station is now located above ground, citing that the previous location was 'lugubrious' and the air was not fresh. The statement suggests dissatisfaction with the old setup but does not provide specific details or data to support these claims.
Lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge on Roger Vangheluwe: "Never has a word of regret come from his lips"
The headline features a statement from Walter Van Steenbrugge, known as Advocaat, regarding Roger Vangheluwe. It suggests that Vangheluwe has never expressed regret for his actions. The statement appears to focus on Vangheluwe's lack of remorse rather than providing additional context or background.
Flanders gives the Vandersanden brickworks in Bilzen room to expand
The regional government of Flanders has granted permission for the stone factory Vandersanden in Bilzen to expand its operations. This decision allows the company to increase production capacity and potentially create more jobs in the area. The expansion comes amid discussions about economic growth and industrial development in the region. Local authorities emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses while ensuring environmental standards are maintained.
Harmonization of the FPS Finance continues to rehearse during working hours (but less)
The headline refers to the continued repetition of the 'Harmonie' song by the Federal Department of Finance during work hours, though less frequently than before. This practice has been ongoing but appears to be occurring at a reduced rate compared to previous periods. The mention of 'Harmonie' suggests it is a specific piece of music used within the department, possibly for morale or procedural purposes. No further details are provided regarding the reasons behind the reduction in frequency or the impact on employees.
The city of Ghent doubles the number of charging stations in city car parks: 'Revenue from charging stations will also flow back to the city'
The city of Ghent has doubled the number of electric vehicle charging stations in municipal parking lots. The initiative aims to promote sustainable transportation and improve infrastructure for electric vehicles. The city expects economic benefits from this expansion, including increased revenue and enhanced urban mobility solutions.
Potential super typhoon approaching U.S. islands in the Pacific
A potential super typhoon is approaching American islands in the Pacific Ocean. The situation raises concerns about possible impacts on local communities, infrastructure, and safety. Typhoons of this magnitude can cause significant damage, including flooding, strong winds, and disruptions to daily life. Authorities are likely monitoring the storm closely and preparing for any necessary emergency responses.
Firefighters rescue giant pigs weighing 400 kilograms from farm pit in Klerken: "This is unprecedented"
A firefighter successfully rescued a large pig weighing 400 kilograms from a drainage ditch on a farm in Klerken. The incident was described by local farmers as something they had never experienced before, highlighting the unusual nature of the event.
Chocolatier from Rotselaar is building the main stage Rock Werchter: "60 kilograms of pure chocolate"
The headline mentions a chocolatier from Rotselaar who is building the main stage for Rock Werchter, highlighting the use of '60 kilogram pure chocolate.' This appears to be a promotional or event-related announcement focusing on the creative use of chocolate in the construction of a festival stage.
Milk bridge between Vrijdagmarkt and Patershol in Ghent closed for 5 days due to unstable shaft: boats are also no longer allowed to pass
The headline reports that the Zuivelbrug bridge between the Vrijdagmarkt and Patershol in Ghent will remain closed for five days due to unstable conditions. The closure affects both pedestrian traffic and boat passage through the area. The situation appears to be a temporary safety measure rather than a long-term issue. No further details are provided regarding the cause of the instability or expected reopening date.
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.
Flemish government approves 38 new school building projects
The Flemish government has approved 38 new school construction projects. The decision reflects ongoing efforts to expand educational infrastructure in Flanders. These projects aim to improve learning environments and accommodate growing student populations. The approval process involved evaluating proposals based on regional needs and resource allocation priorities.
Unique apartments opened in Lummen where people with physical disabilities live completely independently
A unique apartment complex has opened in Lummen, Belgium, designed specifically for individuals with physical disabilities, allowing them to live independently.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
