www.ccp-online.org | CCP 2 (2008): 67-81

Multiformity at risk in Dutch newspapers? A case study on the ‘Probo Koala’, an environmental incident

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van Dijk, Jacintha G.B.; Duijns, Sjoerd; Mos, Jeroen; Ruiz, Mario Urbina

Abstract: Multiformity is a concept which should be guaranteed in the newspaper industry to ensure that newspapers publish various visions. In the Netherlands, there is a discussion on multiformity of the daily newspapers, since the newspaper market is dominated by three publishers. In this study, articles of five Dutch national newspapers are analyzed concerning the environmental incident ‘Probo Koala’ in order to test whether multiformity is at risk in the Dutch newspaper industry. When comparing four newspapers of one Dutch publisher, it is concluded that multiformity is at risk in the Dutch newspaper industry. However this is not the case when newspapers of two Dutch publishers are compared. When checking for multiformity on a European scale, it is concluded that multiformity is guaranteed. To confirm the results of this study regarding multiformity in the environmental media coverage in the Dutch newspaper industry, more comparative studies are needed.

Keywords: Multiformity, Dutch newspaper industry, environmental issue, ‘Probo Koala’