Excellent traditional media, I’ve come to know and love, and which represent for me the concept of ‘quality media’:

• Le Monde, The Guardian, The New Yorker
• France Culture, BBC Radio 4
• Arte (not an expert since I don’t have a TV)

Belgian media is remarkable by its absence from this list. Where’s the quality media in Belgium ?

Without wanting to sound elitist or whiny, I like programming where people don’t shun words with more than two syllables. Where journalists question the status quo, and where experts who shine in their field share insights. Where entertainment is actually witty.

Why not in Belgium ? Small country, small minds ? I don’t think so. But here’s my explanation, for what it’s worth:

• that sort of programming is considered fit for a niche market. Since the belgian market is not all that large to start with, the niche of ‘more-than-two-syllables’ people seems too small to cater for.
• corrolary of the previous point: even public broadcasters now have a commercial approach, and rate their programs by the number of viewers. While public service should per definition offer a service that cannot be found on, say, VTM or TF1. ROI should not be a priority.
• lack of an intellectual tradition, prestigious institutions, a culture of nurturing the brilliant
• self-deprecation is baked into the national consciousness. We’re afraid of being seen as taking ourselves seriously, and sounding intelligent is dangerously close.

A little ambition, people ! Let’s stand up and dare be more and better. I’m convinced we have our gems, let’s let them shine.

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