BRF
Belgischer Rundfunk (BRF) remains Europe’s smallest public broadcaster, operating with a tight-knit team of roughly 70 staff and serving Belgium’s German-speaking Community. Despite its modest size, BRF holds a vital place, chronicling regional life across radio, television, and digital platforms.
Media assets
Television: BRF TV
Radio: BRF1, BRF2, BRF-DLF
State Media Matrix Typology
Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)
Ownership and governance
At the helm of BRF stands its Board of Directors, whose composition is determined by appointments from the Parliament of the German-speaking Community under a management contract with the Community’s government. This contractual framework lays out roles and responsibilities clearly, ensuring BRF delivers on its public mandate while retaining organizational accountability.
Source of funding and budget
BRF’s financial backbone is predominantly state support. In 2022, its budget reached €7.8 million, with 84% funded by the German-speaking Community; the remainder derived from advertising revenue. In 2021, it operated on a budget of €7.4 million.
For 2023, BRF entered the year with an approved budget of €8.754 million, which included a capital endowment of €1 million. In 2024, BRF had a budget of €8 million.
Editorial independence
BRF champions journalistic integrity. The broadcaster’s mission statement underscores its commitment to “independent, critical journalism.” While no formal external editorial review mechanism exists, internal checks and decision-making structures are in place to regularly assess performance. No governmental directives steer editorial decisions or color its coverage in favor of authorities.
Reviews of its content carried out by the Media and Journalism Research Center in May 2021 and March 2024 found that BRF’s output is balanced, diverse, critical, and objective, with no signs of state interference.
August 2025