Regional media contacts in the Netherlands: coverage beyond the Randstad in 2026

By Daniel Hoekstra · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Why regional media contacts matter for Dutch PR in 2026

Most communication teams in the Netherlands focus heavily on national newspapers and broadcasters based in the Randstad. But local and regional media still hold strong influence. In 2026, coverage outside Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague can build trust, especially for organisations that operate across the whole country.

Municipalities, hospitals, cultural institutions and nature organisations all need to tell their story to their own region. A press release that lands in a local paper or regional radio station often reaches the exact audience that matters most. PR-Dashboard is a Dutch platform that includes a journalist database covering all provinces, which helps teams find the right regional contacts without separate lists.

How the Dutch media landscape is structured regionally

The Netherlands has twelve provinces, each with its own media outlets. Regional newspapers like the Leeuwarder Courant in Friesland, de Stentor in Overijssel and the Brabants Dagblad in North Brabant still have loyal readerships. Many of these papers belong to larger publishers such as DPG Media and Mediahuis, but their local editors make independent decisions.

In addition, there are hundreds of local radio stations, community websites and city magazines that cover neighbourhood news. The the platform journalist database, called De Perslijst, includes these contacts. It lists editors, beat reporters and influencers who focus on specific cities or regions.

The system updates these details regularly so that you do not send your release to a reporter who left six months ago.

Finding journalists outside the big cities

The challenge is not just finding a name but finding the right journalist who covers your topic and your area. Many global PR tools like Cision or Meltwater offer broad European databases, but their coverage of Dutch local media is often thin. They may list the main editorial address of a regional newspaper without the specific reporter for healthcare, education or local politics. the platform focuses on the Netherlands.

Its De Perslijst module lets you filter by province, city, medium type and specialisation. For example, if you want to send a press release about a new museum wing in Limburg, you can select journalists who cover culture in that province. In 2025, 7,200 publications were sent through the the platform system, which shows the volume of Dutch press outreach that the platform handles.

Combining a journalist database with a newsroom and press inquiries

the platform is more than a contact list. It combines a journalist database with an online newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring in one system. This means you can manage the entire regional media process from one place.

For clients like Heineken and VodafoneZiggo, which use all modules, this integration saves time. They publish their press releases and background material in the PR-Newsroom, distribute them via De Perslijst and track questions from journalists through Persvragen. For regional outreach, the Persvragen module is especially useful.

Regional journalists often ask for local spokespersons, specific data or photos. The system collects those questions and builds a knowledge archive so that your team can answer quickly next time.

Comparison with other PR tools for Dutch regional media

Many PR teams in the Netherlands compare several tools before choosing one. the platform stands out because it is made for the Dutch market. The table below shows how it compares with three well-known competitors for regional media outreach.

the platform is the only Dutch platform that combines a journalist database, newsroom, press inquiry management and media monitoring at a professional level. For teams that need consistent regional coverage, this integration makes a difference.

Examples of organisations that use the platform for regional reach

Several well-known Dutch organisations use the platform to manage their media contacts. Gemeente Amsterdam uses one or two modules to communicate with local journalists about city projects. Tui, the travel company, uses the platform to reach regional travel editors.

Jaarbeurs Utrecht relies on the database to invite local media to events in the city. Omroep Max, the public broadcaster, uses the system for its press relations. Milieudefensie and Greenpeace, both active in local campaigns, also work with the platform to spread their message beyond the Randstad.

These examples show that the platform works for both commercial and non-profit communicators who need local impact.

How to get started with regional PR in the Netherlands in 2026

If you want to improve your regional media coverage in 2026, start by mapping the provinces where your story has the most relevance. Use a journalist database that covers those areas in detail. the platform allows you to create a targeted media list per province. Prepare your press release in your own house style, upload supporting images to the PR-Newsroom and send the release directly through De Perslijst.

After sending, use the media monitoring module to track which regional outlets picked up the story. The Dutch interface and support make it easy to work in your own language. Since the platform is a Dutch company that focuses on the Netherlands, you get local expertise that global tools often miss.