Stichting ter Bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland

Who we are

What is Stichting ter Bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland?

The Dutch foundation Stichting ter bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland (Foundation to promote the Christian Press in the Netherlands) supports the Dutch daily newspaper Trouw. Our most important goals are to protect the identity of Trouw and to manage the financial assets of the foundation. We are also a shareholder of DPG Media Nederland and Trouw B.V.

What we do

What does Stichting ter Bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland (SCP) do?

SCP works on protecting the identity of Trouw, is responsible for managing the financial assets of the foundation and is a shareholder of DPG Media Nederland and Trouw B.V.

Protecting the identity of Trouw

The identity of Trouw is unique. Trouw is a newspaper with a mission: it is committed to journalism from ideological beliefs. This newspaper was first published in 1943, as an illegal newspaper of the Protestant resistance movement fighting against the German occupation. After the Second World War, newspaper Trouw continued in a legal format. With this Protestant-Christian background, Trouw pays attention in its news reporting to democracy, sustainability and all forms of religion, philosophy and worldviews. Daily newspaper Trouw covers the news about and from various worldviews.

The ideals of Trouw stem from the Christian roots of the newspaper, including striving for justice, freedom, peace and charity. These ideals are reflected in the way in which we report about the news. Trouw does not only notice and analyse problems in society but also looks for solutions. Trouw aims to connect with its readers.

Trouw specialises in research journalism. For example, Trouw and RTL Nieuws were the first news organisations to reveal the ‘Toeslagenaffaire’(the Dutch childcare benefits scandal). Playing a role in internationally leading journalism, it reported news about tax avoidance by large companies and by the rich and the powerful of this world (the Panama Papers).

During the meetings of the foundation, the board members and the editors-in-chief often discuss the direction of the newspaper and the news items that are related to the identity of Trouw.

Last but not least, as a foundation we are also closely involved in selecting the new editor-in-chief. In close collaboration with the editorial council and the representative of the publisher, we approve of the appointment of the new editor-in-chief or editors-in-chief.

Responsible for managing the foundation’s financial assets

We invest the financial assets of the foundation according to our investment principles. The revenue of these financial assets and any revenue from the shares of DPG Media Nederland are allocated to journalistic projects of Trouw that would otherwise not be possible. The foundation also offers financial support for projects and events for readers of Trouw. The editors-in-chief can apply for subsidies too. The daily management assesses these applications and decides whether funding will be awarded or not.

Being shareholder of DPG Media Nederland and Trouw B.V.

The foundation has a small share (approx. 1 percent) in DPG Media Nederland and is priority shareholder of Trouw B.V.. The members of the board represent the foundation during shareholder meetings, information meetings and other meetings between DPG Media Nederland and its shareholders. We join forces as much as possible with the foundations of the other news organisations: Stichting de Volkskrant, Stichting Het Nieuwe Parool, Stichting RTL Nieuws, Stichting NU.nl and Stichting Democratie en Media.

'In today's media landscape, it is essential to distinguish yourself. The Stichting ter bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland helps us to always take our roots as our starting point.'

Wendelmoet Boersema and Karel Smouter, editors-in-chief Trouw

Background

When was Stichting ter Bevordering van de Christelijke Pers in Nederland (SCP) founded?

SCP was founded in 1966. Trouw was not mentioned in the articles of association, but the most important role of the foundation has always been – right from its start – to safeguard the identity of the newspaper. When Trouw became part of de Perscombinatie in 1975, the SCP lost ownership of the news organisation and became a shareholder.

The board

Who is on the board of the foundation?

The board of SCP consists of a Daily Management with five board members and a General Management with 13 board members. Board members are appointed after being proposed by the editorial council and the editors-in-chief of Trouw and proposed by the board itself. Board members must be independent, professional and have affinity with the identity of Trouw. They are appointed for a maximum of two terms of four years each.

The Daily Management consists of:

Ad Koppejan

2022 — present

Functie:

Chair

Over:

Ad Koppejan is director, supervisory board member and entrepreneur. He is also a former Member of Parliament for the Dutch political party CDA (Christian Democrats).

Arjan Vliegenthart

2019 — present

Functie:

Treasurer

Over:

Arjan Vliegenthart is the director of Nibud and former alderman for Work, Income and Participation at the Municipality of Amsterdam.

Domenica Ghidei

2021 — present

Tineke Huizinga

2017 — present

Wim Janse

2019 — present

The secretariat of the foundation is run by Pepijn Smulders (from Wissenraet Van Spaendonck).

The General Management consists of the following members:

Teun Lagas

2021 — present

Over:

Teun Lagas is the representative of the editorial council of Trouw. Teun has been working for Trouw since 1975, in various positions including as journalist and editor-in-chief.

Lotte Schipper

2017 — present

Over:

Lotte Schipper is former chair of the youth organisation of the Dutch political party CDA (Christian Democrats). She is currently working as Strategy & Consulting consultant at Accenture and she can be hired as moderator for events and conferences.

Arlette Dwarkasing fotograaf Ruben den Harder

Arletta Dwarkasing

2018 — present

Maurice Limmen

2014 — present

Over:

Maurice Limmen is chair of the Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied (Vereniging Hogescholen). Before this he was chair of the Christian trade union CNV and part of the daily management of the Dutch Social and Economic Council (SER).