Ideological Programs Continue

State Secretary Sander Dekker (Media) thinks it is a good idea to make an agreement with the Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO) for reserving money for ideological programs. He was referring to a maximum amount of 9 million euro. This said the State Secretary on Tuesday night, during a debate on the amendment to the Media Act in the House. This amendment will include the reduction of the number of broadcasters from 21 to 8. Because the religious broadcasters will disappear the CDA and the Christian Union want guarantees that ideological programs will be continued. They would later come with a motion where they suggest to reserve 9 million euro. "That would be the maximum," said Dekker. Dekker already talked before with the NPO about this subject. Previously the religious broadcasters demanded 15 million euro for such programs since they themselves no longer exist after 2015. Parties like Labour Party and the Socialist Party are in favor of putting aside some money for ideological programs.