Because Belgium has no single "Ministry of Media," 1991 saw the birth of parallel systems:
The alternative radio station Studio Brussel launched a late-night call-in show, “Nachtwacht,” in January 1991. Hosted by Jan Hautekiet, the show dedicated two hours every Thursday to voorlichting. Unlike television, radio allowed for more explicit language. Listeners described sexual problems, and on-air experts (including a prostitute from Antwerp’s red-light district) offered advice. The show was praised by the Flemish Association for Sexual Health but condemned by the Belgische Bisschoppenconferentie (Belgian Bishops’ Conference) for “reducing intimacy to a technical manual.” sexuele voorlichting 1991 belgium full videotitle porn tube
The voorlichting experiments of 1991 had long-term consequences: Because Belgium has no single "Ministry of Media,"
| Publication | Language | Circulation (1991) | Notable Content | |-------------|----------|-------------------|-----------------| | De Standaard | Dutch | 210 000 | In‑depth political analysis of the federalisation talks; weekly “Cultuur” supplement. | | Le Soir | French | 260 000 | Investigative series on the “Brussels banking scandal” (1991). | | Het Laatste Nieuws | Dutch | 420 000 | Sensational crime reporting; “Sport en Spel” weekend insert. | | La Libre Belgique | French | 180 000 | Literary essays; cultural guide to the “Festival d’Ardenne” (July 1991). | | Humo (magazine) | Dutch | 130 000 | Pop‑culture features on *Madonna’s “Erotica” tour (first Belgian stop). | | Paris Match Belgique | French | 85 000 | Photo‑journalism of the Gulf War (1990‑91) – high public interest. | | Free Press (new entrant) | Dutch/French | 70 000 (combined) | Distributed in commuter stations, focusing on lifestyle, tech, and short‑form news. | The segment, hosted by the irreverent Tom Buth,
For researchers or nostalgia seekers:
The BRTN youth department launched a controversial segment within the popular chart show “Tien om te Zien” (Ten to See). In October 1991, the show hosted a live voorlichtingslijn (sex education hotline). Teenagers could call in anonymously and ask questions like:
The segment, hosted by the irreverent Tom Buth, broke taboos by discussing homosexuality and masturbation without euphemism. Conservative Catholic groups (e.g., Katholieke Unie van Ouders) protested, but ratings among 12- to 18-year-olds hit 48% market share—unheard of for a non-sports broadcast.