International Dispute Over Gas Prices

America is not the only country dealing with increasing gas prices. The Netherlands and Italy are currently in a dispute about cheap gas exports. (originally reported by Financieele Dagblad, a finance newspaper)

Apparently the Netherlands is attempting to stop Italy from buying cheap gas from Moscow, as a result of a special deal for Italy that was made in the 1960s.

The Dutch people have been experiencing price increases in gas since the 1980s, and now a Dutch gas export firm wants an Italian oil firm to pay for gas purchases since 2005. The Netherlands is responsible for exporting approximately 10 billion m3 (converted natural gas) of gas to Italy a year.

Chemical Castration for Sex Offenders

Psychiatric prisons are growing weary of the over-whelming amount of sex offenders that are long-term patients in the prisons and show now signs of getting better.

The criminal law application council RSJ states that the problem is because sex offenders are not given the right to chemical castration. At present most of these prisons refuse to give the drug to patients, but RSJ argues that, "By refusing, the prisons are not giving prisoners good care and are reducing their chances of getting out."

One board member for RSJ, Louis Donker, said, "Every prisoner must have the same chance of getting the treatment he needs. That can make the difference between getting out and removal to a long-stay ward."

(dutchnews.nl)

Alcohol Ban in Rotterdam

As previously mentioned, the heavily anticipated soccer match between bitter rivals Ajax and Feyenoord has resulted in strict regulations and extra precautions taken in order to keep order during the game.


A Rotterdam judge upheld the ban on the sale AND consumption of alcohol in the centre of the city on the afternoon of the game. Local bar owners have appeared in court opposed to the ban, which lasts all day until midnight.

The ban was introduced by the mayor of Rotterdam, Achmed Aboutaleb, who was pleased to hear the decision of the court according to a Dutch newspaper (dutchnews.nl)'I accept these are hard and far-reaching measures but they are unfortunately necessary to ensure public order and the safety of Rotterdammers,' explained the mayor.

Foreign Media

The Netherlands are very open to foreign media, and members of foreign media are treated the same as domestic journalist in the country.

The news media from foreign companies are welcomed in the Netherlands, as well as the output of Dutch news to international markets. Non-Dutch citizens still receive full constitutional rights while in the Netherlands when referring to foreign media.

The Netherlands' newspaper publishers association is also closely associated with international organizations. The only real infringement on the rights of members of both the domestic and foreign media in the Netherlands is the rare instance where the information can negatively affect the interest of national security.

(picture: International Institute for Sound and Vision)

Media Censorship

The Dutch generally enjoy absolute freedom in terms of censorship in the media. Compared to other European nations, freedom of the press in the Netherlands ranks fairly high. Freedom house placed the Netherlands as the eigth best in terms of press freedom.

The ranking placed the Netherlands above countries like the United States and England, as well as Germany, Belgium and France. The amount of freedom allows the Dutch to be open with the flow of information, and can only be a positive thing for the media industries.

Digital Technology And the Internet

Digital technology is still developing in the Netherlands. The Internet is still very popular amongst the Dutch. The International Telecommunications Union reports that for every 100 inhabitants of the Netherlands, 86.55 of them are Internet users. According to World Press Encyclopedia, Dutch citizens spend approximately 10 hours weekly at their personal computers. Which seems like a small number especially in comparison to most college students who can spend up to 10 hours a day at their personal computers.

The numbers for Internet usage in the Netherlands is still expected to grow explains the World Press Encyclopedia. "While it is too early to see whether the Netherlands will evolve as a leading contributor to such a mass medium, the Dutch have certainly made the move to the introduction of all forms of new communication technology."

It was also interesting to see that for every 100 inhabitants of the Netherlands, there are approximately 124 cell phones.

I think that the Internet and technology's advantages outweigh any negative aspects. Although it can lead to one nations media overtaking that of another, it is important to remember that the Internet and technology serve as a great tools to being globally aware and conscious.

IMF Sets Strategy For the Dutch Banks

Ina time of economic hardships being felt around the world, the news of the Netherlands indicates that their country has also felt the effects of the economic decline.

The International Monetary Fund feels that the banks in the Netherlands should spend $2276 mrd. between the years of 2007 & 2010. The IMF has set up a strategy in hopes to prepare for any future mishaps.

The IMF does warn that due to the deficits and debts being accumulated by other countries in need, the current crisis can be extended and effect the market much longer than anticipated. Reports Het Financieele Dagblad a dutch newspaper located in Amsterdam.