Mediawetjouwing yn Nederlân: regels oer publikaasje, portretten en privacy

Nederlânske mediawet is net ien wet, mar it gehiel fan regels dat bepaalt wat publisearre, útstjoerd en dield wurde mei, en troch wa. Fjouwer boarnen dogge it measte wurk.

De Mediawet 2008 regelet omroppen en on-demand tsjinsten en wurdt tafersjoch hâlden troch de Nederlânske Media-autoriteit. De Auteurswet regelet it werbrûk fan tekst, ôfbyldings, muzyk en film, en artikels 19 oant en mei 21 fan dy wet jouwe in werkenber persoan in stim yn 'e publikaasje fan harren portret. Frijheid fan mieningsutering wurdt beskerme troch artikel 7 fan 'e Grûnwet en artikel 10 fan it Europeesk Ferdrach foar de Rjochten fan 'e Minske, mar it is net ûnbeheind: in publikaasje kin ûnwetlik wêze ûnder artikel 6:162 fan it Burgerlik Wetboek, en laster en smaad binne strafbere feiten ûnder artikels 261 en 262 fan it Wetboek fan Strafrjocht. Wêr't in publikaasje persoanlike gegevens befettet, is de Algemene Ferordening Gegevensbeskerming fan tapassing neist dit alles, ûnder foarbehâld fan 'e sjoernalistike útsûndering.

For anyone who creates, publishes or moderates content in the Netherlands, the key question is where the right to publish ends and the rights of the person portrayed begin. Under Article 6:162 BW, the civil court answers that question by weighing both interests in each case.

What does Dutch media law cover?

Media law covers newspapers, broadcasters, websites, social media accounts and advertising. The same rules apply to a national broadcaster, a company blog and an influencer with a large following.

The Media Act 2008 (Mediawet 2008) applies to broadcasters and on-demand audiovisual services, and the Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media) supervises them. The Copyright Act (Auteurswet) applies to anyone who reuses text, photos, music or video. The Civil Code and the Criminal Code (Wetboek van Strafrecht) set the outer limits of what you may say about others.

Which rules apply to broadcasters and online platforms?

Broadcasters need to comply with the Media Act, including its advertising and sponsorship rules. Online platforms must also comply with the EU Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065), which has applied in full since 17 February 2024.

Public broadcasting is organised through broadcasting associations that must represent a social, cultural or religious current in society. Commercial broadcasters and video-on-demand services registered with the Commissariaat voor de Media must follow the Media Act’s rules on advertising, sponsorship and the protection of minors. Tobacco advertising is banned in all media under the Tobacco and Smoking Products Act (Tabaks- en rookwarenwet).

Under the Digital Services Act, hosting services and platforms must offer a notice-and-action mechanism and act on reports of illegal content without undue delay. Platforms that let users upload copyrighted works need a licence or must make best efforts to block unauthorised uploads, under Article 29c of the Copyright Act, which implements Article 17 of the EU Copyright Directive (2019/790).

Where are the limits of freedom of expression?

Freedom of expression is protected by Article 7 of the Dutch Constitution and Article 10 ECHR, but a publication may not be unlawful or criminal. The court asks whether the statements have sufficient support in the facts available at the time of publication.

Under Article 6:162 BW, a publication is unlawful if the interest of the person portrayed in protecting his reputation and privacy outweighs the interest of the publisher in informing the public. Courts look at the tone of the publication, the factual basis, whether the person was asked to respond and whether a public interest was served. Defamation (smaad) and libel (laster) are criminal offences under Articles 261 and 262 of the Criminal Code. Insulting a group because of race, religion, sexual orientation or disability is punishable under Article 137c, and incitement to hatred under Article 137d.

When may you publish someone’s portrait?

Publishing a recognisable image of a person is governed by Articles 19 to 21 of the Copyright Act. If the person did not commission the portrait, you may publish it unless the person has a reasonable interest in opposing publication.

Under Article 21 of the Copyright Act, that reasonable interest is usually a privacy interest or, for well-known people, a commercial interest in their image. Using a photo of a recognisable person in an advertisement without consent is therefore risky. If the portrait was made on commission, Article 20 requires the consent of the person portrayed.

How does the GDPR apply to publications?

When a publication contains personal data, the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG) applies. For journalistic purposes, Article 43 of the Dutch GDPR Implementation Act (UAVG) exempts publishers from a large part of the GDPR obligations.

The exemption does not cover commercial content or marketing, so a company blog or advertising campaign must comply with the GDPR in full. A person can ask a search engine to delist outdated or irrelevant results under Article 17 GDPR (the “right to be forgotten”); the court then weighs that request against the public interest in access to the information. The Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) supervises compliance.

What should you check as a publisher or content creator?

• Check that every factual allegation about a named person has a verifiable source.
• Give the person concerned the opportunity to respond before you publish serious allegations.
• Keep written licences for photos, music and video, including the scope and duration of use.
• Obtain written consent before you use a recognisable person in advertising.
• Check whether your content falls under the journalistic exemption of Article 43 UAVG or under the full GDPR.

What should you check if a publication concerns you?

• Save the publication with date, URL and screenshots before it is changed or removed.
• Note which statements are factually incorrect and which are opinions.
• Send a written request for rectification or removal to the publisher, setting a short deadline.
• Report illegal content to the platform through its notice-and-action form under the Digital Services Act.
• Consider summary proceedings (kort geding) if the publication causes ongoing damage.

How is a publication dispute resolved?

Most disputes start with a letter demanding rectification or removal. If the publisher does not respond, the preliminary relief judge (voorzieningenrechter) of the District Court can order removal or rectification in summary proceedings, usually within a few weeks.

In proceedings on the merits, you can claim damages and rectification under Article 6:167 BW. Complaints about journalistic conduct can also go to the Netherlands Press Council (Raad voor de Journalistiek), which gives a non-binding opinion. Criminal complaints for defamation or libel are filed with the police, and for defamation and libel the prosecution generally requires a complaint by the injured person (Article 269 of the Criminal Code).

What can we do for you with media law?

Us media lawyers assist publishers, companies, creators and people who are the subject of a publication.

• We review an article, video or campaign for legal risks before publication.
• We draft licence and consent agreements for images, music and portraits.
• We draft a demand for rectification or removal and send it to the publisher or platform.
• We file a notice under the Digital Services Act and follow up with the platform.
• We start or defend summary proceedings before the preliminary relief judge.

Gearfetting

• Dutch media law combines the Media Act 2008, the Copyright Act, the Civil Code, the Criminal Code and the GDPR.
• Under Article 6:162 BW, the court weighs freedom of expression against reputation and privacy.
• Portraits are protected by Articles 19 to 21 of the Copyright Act; advertising use normally needs consent.
• Journalistic publications benefit from the exemption in Article 43 UAVG; marketing content does not.
• Removal or rectification can be ordered quickly in summary proceedings.

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