The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, a prominent hub for media and cultural heritage, unveils the News Wisdom Manifesto to tackle the challenges posed by the current media landscape. As misinformation and polarized content proliferate, a united effort among journalists, educators, scientists, policymakers, and civil society is considered crucial. This new manifesto strives to cultivate a populace that is well-equipped to navigate and contribute to conversations around news and information in a democratic society. Initiatives like these are vital as the world grapples with the rapid influence of social media and AI in news dissemination.
Interest in news among younger people had been a growing concern for some time. Past reports have highlighted a troubling drop in trust towards media outlets. This declining confidence is mirrored in recent survey data indicating that trust in news in the Netherlands fell from 57% in 2023 to 50% in 2025. The integration of AI and algorithm-driven news feeds often comes with a lack of transparency, further complicating the issue. Recognizing these shifts, the News Wisdom Manifesto proposes structured guidelines for news consumption and literacy.
What Does the Manifesto Propose?
At the heart of the manifesto are five pillars designed to enhance the information ecosystem: Ecosystem News Wisdom, Media Logic, Control over Technology, Journalism & Democracy, and Education & Training. These pillars aim to create an informed public that understands news processes, the role of technology, and the significance of diverse journalism in a healthy democracy. Through education and collaboration, the manifesto encourages citizens to critically engage with information, ensuring public discourse remains constructive.
Who Are Its Main Supporters?
The manifesto has garnered support from professionals across multiple sectors. Patricia van Rijswijk, a News Literacy specialist at Beeld & Geluid, emphasizes the necessity of equipping young people with skills to navigate the media landscape:
“If we expect children and young people to contribute to our democracy as active citizens, this also includes learning news-savvy skills and behavior.”
Similarly, Pieter van Boheemen, operational director of the Democracy Monitor, stresses:
“Democracy is under pressure. It’s not just a feeling; it’s also measurable. Intimidation of journalists has doubled, and propaganda is spreading rapidly through social media.”
The News Wisdom Manifesto is a collaborative initiative between the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision and the DichterBijNieuws project. It seeks to engage media stakeholders in developing a comprehensive approach to news literacy, fostering environments where reliable information can thrive and support democratic dialogue.
Facilitated by the Media Literacy Network, the manifesto emphasizes teaching news literacy within educational frameworks and lifelong learning initiatives. It aims to empower citizens to identify misinformation and develop informed opinions while understanding the technological processes shaping news narratives.
The Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision, an institute managing a vast portion of Dutch audiovisual heritage, further stresses the importance of its media literacy mission. By harnessing decades-long initiatives like the Images for the Future program, which digitized extensive media archives, it supports creating resources that enrich public access to reliable information.
When placed into a broader context, this effort reflects global trends where media, education, and technology sectors converge to strengthen collective information-sharing practices. By focusing on collaborative approaches and robust educational frameworks, the manifesto strives to ensure a healthy ecosystem that serves not only the current but also future generations.
