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A new Belgian Media Centre?
Plans are in the making to create a brand new Belgian Media Centre. In a few years this long cherished dream could well become reality. The new, still to be built office block could house journalists as well as other media professionals working in Belgium.
At the end of the 1970s Belgium did have a true Media Centre: the Brussels-based IPC or International Press Centre had Belgian media associations, newspaper offices, national news agency Belga and a slew of international news agencies under its prestigious roof.
The IPC still is very much part of the European enclave in Brussels but most of its illustre news organisations and editors, Belga included, have left the building long since. High rents are part of the explanation. Media organisations with deep pockets are still based at the IPC but are no longer representative of the national media landscape.
In 2001 when the EU presidency was chaired by then Belgian PM Guy Verhofstadt renovation works were undertaken to provide a stylish working place for the international media at the Résidence Palace. But it remains to be seen if the media centre can continue to operate due to the never-ending expansion of the EU institutions in the area.
Therefore a new plan was hatched for a Belgian media centre in a new building. The idea is part of the plan to merge the AVBB (the national association of professional journalists in Belgium) with the trade association of the periodical press. In addition to these two representative bodies, the Journalists Author Organisation (JAM) representing the IP side of the business, the Council for Journalism and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) would find a place to work.
The advantages are self-evident. Journalists and media professionals are all under one roof with all mod cons of their profession. Moreover, there are the cost savings. Everyone has access to the professional tools of the trade. And the rent would be at an acceptable level too.
When the new centre will be built, is still uncertain but the odds that the plans will come to fruition, are good.
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