RNW Media
RNW Media is a Netherlands-based NGO rooted in the legacy of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW), which operated from 1947 until 2012 as an international public radio broadcaster. Since 2013, the organization has pivoted to become a digital-first media development agency, championing freedom of expression and youth-centric content across multiple geographies.
Media assets
Online: RNW Media
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
The Supervisory Board of RNW Media remains the ultimate governing body, responsible for appointing the CEO and steering the organization’s strategic direction. The board’s recruitment is facilitated by an independent HR consultancy through an open application process—specifically aiming to attract young, diverse, multiethnic candidates, guided by insights from local experts and journalists.
As of June 2025, Wouter van Tongeren has assumed the role of CEO, a new dawn for RNW Media, ushering in fresh leadership and vision.
Source of funding and budget
RNW Media continues to rely on a mix of government subsidies and grants from foundations, donor organizations, and institutions such as UNESCO, the U.S. Department of State, EU bodies, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, and others.
In 2020, RNW Media operated with a budget of €13.6m, with 58% coming from a subsidy awarded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to the organization’s annual report. The following year, the company had a budget of €6.4m, with state funding representing less than 40% of that. In 2022, RNW Media had a total budget of €9.3m, €6.2m of which came from a grant awarded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as stated in the company’s annual report. In 2023, RNW Media had a budget of €8.3m, €3.9m of which came from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The remainder was contributed by donors such as UNESCO, U.S. Department of State, FPU, EU and the Dutch Postcode Lottery. In 2024, the company had an operational budget of €6.4m and expenditures of €7.9m, which led to a negative result of €1.5m.
RNW Media’s digital footprint extends across more than 40 countries spanning Europe, North and East Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America, and East Asia. As of 2024, the organization and its network reached over 500 million people annually, mostly young audiences, with significant reported shifts in knowledge and behavior (89.6% gained new knowledge or altered attitudes; 58.3% experienced notable changes in behavior).
Editorial independence
RNW Media retains full editorial autonomy: no government mandates govern content. Instead, decisions are made collaboratively within editorial teams. The organization upholds strict ethical safeguards, including codes of conduct and whistleblowing policies, and adheres to transparency and inclusive decision‑making.
August 2025