Reformatorisch Dagblad
Reformatorisch Dagblad, commonly abbreviated to RD, is a national Dutch newspaper that has been published since 1971 and is produced in Apeldoorn. The newspaper writes from a Reformed, orthodox Protestant perspective.
Read more about this on this site: Reformatorisch Dagblad — Criticism of the transgender law cautiously finds its way into the media.
What you will find
The RD closely follows developments concerning gender. It publishes news reports, background articles, interviews and opinion pieces on gender care for minors, the Transgender Act, education and developments abroad, such as the Cass Review and the WPATH Files. A large proportion of the articles is available only to subscribers.
Why it is on this list
The newspaper devotes considerable space to criticism of gender care, making it a source for anyone who wants to follow developments in the Netherlands. Its religious foundation influences its choice of subjects and its commentary. How churches and religious movements view the subject is covered under gender and religion. It is worth keeping the distinction between reporting and opinion in mind, especially when considering questions about medical care.
History and publisher
The first issue appeared on 1 April 1971. The newspaper was established partly out of dissatisfaction with reporting in the existing secular press. It is owned by the Erdee Media Groep and its editor-in-chief is Steef de Bruijn. Since April 2013, the RD has been published in tabloid format. During the week it is an evening newspaper, while on Saturdays it is a morning newspaper. According to Wikipedia, since 2022 it has been the Netherlands’ only national afternoon newspaper. Its circulation was 31,200 in 1975, peaked at around 58,000 in 2001 and stood at 50,956 in 2025.
Support base and identity
The RD describes itself as a Christian daily newspaper with a pietistic Reformed identity. Its readers mainly come from churches such as the Reformed Congregations and the Christian Reformed Churches, while politically the newspaper is close to the SGP. This is reflected in the editorial choices: considerable attention is given to church life and regional news from areas where its support base lives, with little coverage of sport and entertainment. The website is closed on Sundays, from midnight to midnight.
How to assess this source
The RD is a daily newspaper with its own news desk and is therefore more than an opinion magazine. Its particular perspective is mainly evident in its selection of subjects and in its commentary. The newspaper reports on critical reviews such as the Cass Review and on the political debate surrounding the Transgender Act. These are subjects that align with the convictions of its support base. When reading an article, check whether it is a news report, an interview or a commentary, and consult the original source for any figures. Comparing the RD with a newspaper representing a different perspective quickly reveals the difference in subject selection; see also media and public debate.