Omroep ZWART achieved the required number of members on Wednesday to be admitted to the public broadcasting system as aspiring broadcaster. Co-founder Akwasi speaks in conversation with NU.nl on Thursday of “a big victory for the whole of the Netherlands”.
“These 50,000 members are not only a statement, but also an action. That means an awful lot. We can reach the public system. We have the opportunity to catch up,” said Akwasi.
Omroep ZWART has a long run-up. As early as 2010, Akwasi had the idea of starting his own broadcaster. But at the time he thought that was more of a project for when he was over forty. At the age of 32, he is already on the threshold of the Dutch public broadcasting system.
Nelson Mandela once said: ‘It always seems impossible, until it’s done. ‘ Many people in my immediate vicinity said: “It won’t work, what are you doing now?” But there were also a number of people, very important and influential people, who said, ‘Wow, this is a good idea. I support this, let me know what I can do and I’ll come and help. I got your back.'”
Broadcaster ZWART broke through the membership threshold of 50,000 on Wednesday, the counter was already at almost 53,000 on Thursday morning. That’s more than enough to meet one of the most important requirements for an aspiring broadcaster. Another important condition is that the broadcaster in the making must distinguish itself in its programs from existing broadcasters.
Earlier Akwasi already spoke of an alternative news, in which a more diverse view of the world must be used. In addition, he would like to make a history program in which high school students philosophize about historical events together. “Most of the historians I see on television are gray.”
‘I didn’t grow up with Tik tak of Sesame Street‘
Akwasi, who initiated the broadcaster together with Gianni Grot, wants BLACK to make television for everyone. But he also explicitly addresses the inhabitants of the Netherlands, who, due to their background and family history, have grown up not only with Dutch (television) culture.
“I didn’t grow up with Tik tak of Sesame Street. I grew up with Children’s BBC, CBeebies. I was born and raised Dutch, but at home we mainly spoke English and Ghana. So I grew up in a different world within the Netherlands. I am not alone in this. That is a large group that needs different narratives and stories, made by people you don’t hear or see very often. “
The BBC returns more often in the conversation. For Akwasi, who calls herself “a child of the NPO”, the British broadcaster is a great example. “They are miles ahead of the Netherlands and the NPO and reach an immense mix of people. I like to be inspired by them. Whether you are one of the four million people with a disability or one of the almost two million people with an Asian descent, BLACK is for everyone. “
‘BLACK must be a place for new talent’
Now that the required number of members has been reached, the broadcaster must submit a policy plan in early 2021. The initiators must develop their program ideas in this. The Media Authority then tests the proposal and sends it to the NPO, the Council for Culture and the Minister of Education, Culture and Science. Together they make a decision about which new broadcasters can prove themselves in the system. ZWART has no shortage of good program proposals, says Akwasi.
“I am not at all concerned about that. What I do worry about is how you put together a good editorial team behind the scenes with different people who can actually make the programs. For example, I try to find five presenters of Asian descent. Kun you name them? That is very difficult, but we can provide them. They are there, but we have to find them. BLACK must also be a place for new talent, a breeding ground within the NPO. “
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