De Standaard
Encyclopedia
De Standaard is a Flemish
daily newspaper
published in Belgium
by Corelio
(formerly VUM). Circulation was about 102.280 in 2007. It was traditionally a Christian-Democratic
paper, associated with the Christian-Democratic and Flemish Party, and in opposition to the Socialist
Flemish daily De Morgen
. However, today it is politically neutral.
founded Ons Volk Ontwaakt, the weekly journal of the Flemish Catholic student organization.
In 1914, Van Cauwelaert, Alfons Van de Perre, and Arnold Hendrix formed a publishing company, De Standaard N.V. ("The Standard, Incorporated": the Standard Group). Their goal was to publish a conservative, Catholic
, Flemish daily newspaper in Brussels
, to be called De Standaard. The motto of De Standaard was Alles voor Vlaanderen - Vlaanderen voor Kristus ("Everything for Flanders - Flanders for Christ"), abbreviated AVV-VVK. AVV-VVK appeared in De Standaards front-page banner until 1999. The first edition was to appear on 22 November 1914, but publication was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War I
. De Standaard did not appear until 4 December 1918, after the war ended. Gustave Sap
, who joined the board of directors in 1919, provided the necessary capital for its initial expansion.
In 1940, during the Second World War, Belgium was occupied by Nazi Germany
. De Standaard ceased publication. However, a new
paper, Het Algemeen Nieuws ("The General News") was published with De Standaards staff and presses, printing only what the Nazi occupation government permitted. After the liberation of Belgium in 1944, the management of Standard Group was accused of collaboration
with the Nazi occupiers, and the company was banned for two years. A new company was therefore created: De Gids N.V., ("The Guide, Inc.") which began publishing De Nieuwe Standaard ("The New Standard") in November 1944. Older titles of the Standaard group were also continued by De Gids.
In 1947, the ban on Standard Group was removed, and with court permission the company reclaimed all its titles. De Nieuwe Standaard was immediately renamed De Nieuwe Gids, and then, as of 1 May, De Standaard again.
In the 1960s and 1970s, De Standaard was famous for its high-quality and independent foreign affairs coverage. For example, despite its Catholic and conservative ties, De Standaard was critical of American
policy in southeast Asia.
However, the financial condition of Standard Group deteriorated, becoming critical in 1976. Standard Group declared bankruptcy on 22 June. De Standaard was rescued by André Leysen
, a Belgian businessman, who formed Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij N.V. (VUM - "Flemish Publishers Partnership"). VUM took over Standard Group's titles, and became the publisher of De Standaard. VUM changed its name to Corelio in 2006.
In 2004, De Standaard changed formats, from traditional broadsheet
to tabloid size.
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
daily newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
published in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
by Corelio
Corelio
Corelio is a Belgian media group, formerly known as the Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij . The group was founded on 26 June 1976 by André Leysen, together with other Flemish businesspeople...
(formerly VUM). Circulation was about 102.280 in 2007. It was traditionally a Christian-Democratic
Christian Democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
paper, associated with the Christian-Democratic and Flemish Party, and in opposition to the Socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
Flemish daily De Morgen
De Morgen
De Morgen is a Flemish newspaper with a circulation of 53,860. It originates from a merger in 1978 of two socialist newspapers Vooruit and Volksgazet ....
. However, today it is politically neutral.
History
In 1911, Frans Van CauwelaertFrans Van Cauwelaert
Frans van Cauwelaert , was a Belgian Roman Catholic politician and lawyer.Van Cauwelaert was born at Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Lombeek...
founded Ons Volk Ontwaakt, the weekly journal of the Flemish Catholic student organization.
In 1914, Van Cauwelaert, Alfons Van de Perre, and Arnold Hendrix formed a publishing company, De Standaard N.V. ("The Standard, Incorporated": the Standard Group). Their goal was to publish a conservative, Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, Flemish daily newspaper in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, to be called De Standaard. The motto of De Standaard was Alles voor Vlaanderen - Vlaanderen voor Kristus ("Everything for Flanders - Flanders for Christ"), abbreviated AVV-VVK. AVV-VVK appeared in De Standaards front-page banner until 1999. The first edition was to appear on 22 November 1914, but publication was cancelled due to the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. De Standaard did not appear until 4 December 1918, after the war ended. Gustave Sap
Gustave Sap
Gustave Charles Sap was a Belgian politician and minister for the Catholic Party. Sap was professor at the Catholic University of Leuven . During his professional career, he was active in the Flemish movement, agriculture and business...
, who joined the board of directors in 1919, provided the necessary capital for its initial expansion.
In 1940, during the Second World War, Belgium was occupied by Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
. De Standaard ceased publication. However, a new
paper, Het Algemeen Nieuws ("The General News") was published with De Standaards staff and presses, printing only what the Nazi occupation government permitted. After the liberation of Belgium in 1944, the management of Standard Group was accused of collaboration
Collaborationism
Collaborationism is cooperation with enemy forces against one's country. Legally, it may be considered as a form of treason. Collaborationism may be associated with criminal deeds in the service of the occupying power, which may include complicity with the occupying power in murder, persecutions,...
with the Nazi occupiers, and the company was banned for two years. A new company was therefore created: De Gids N.V., ("The Guide, Inc.") which began publishing De Nieuwe Standaard ("The New Standard") in November 1944. Older titles of the Standaard group were also continued by De Gids.
In 1947, the ban on Standard Group was removed, and with court permission the company reclaimed all its titles. De Nieuwe Standaard was immediately renamed De Nieuwe Gids, and then, as of 1 May, De Standaard again.
In the 1960s and 1970s, De Standaard was famous for its high-quality and independent foreign affairs coverage. For example, despite its Catholic and conservative ties, De Standaard was critical of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
policy in southeast Asia.
However, the financial condition of Standard Group deteriorated, becoming critical in 1976. Standard Group declared bankruptcy on 22 June. De Standaard was rescued by André Leysen
André Leysen
André Leysen is a Belgian businessman. In 1951, he married Anne Ahlers, daughter of a shipping family from Bremen, Germany. Together they have four children: Bettina, Christian, Thomas, and Sabina...
, a Belgian businessman, who formed Vlaamse Uitgeversmaatschappij N.V. (VUM - "Flemish Publishers Partnership"). VUM took over Standard Group's titles, and became the publisher of De Standaard. VUM changed its name to Corelio in 2006.
In 2004, De Standaard changed formats, from traditional broadsheet
Broadsheet
Broadsheet is the largest of the various newspaper formats and is characterized by long vertical pages . The term derives from types of popular prints usually just of a single sheet, sold on the streets and containing various types of material, from ballads to political satire. The first broadsheet...
to tabloid size.
Notable journalists
- Gaston DurnezGaston DurnezGaston Cyriel Durnez is a Flemish journalist and writer. He worked for the newspaper De Standaard, and he is one of the founders of the Encyclopedie van de Vlaamse Beweging.-Bibliography:* Muzenissen * Rijmenam...
- Maria RosseelsMaria RosseelsMaria, Baroness Rosseels , also known with her pen name E. M. Vervliet, was a Belgian Catholic writer. The first years of her life, she lived in the Goedendagstraat in Borgerhout. When Maria was 7 years old, the family moved to Oostmalle, where she already started to write...
(1916-2005), film critic and writer. - Mia Doornaert, columnist