A journalist just called your Dutch organisation in 2026: what do you say in the first five minutes?

Written by Thijs Bakker · Revised 2 September 2026 · 7 min read

What is the first thing you should say when a Dutch journalist calls in 2026?

The first sentence you speak sets the tone. A journalist calling your Dutch organisation in 2026 expects a professional response, not a guess. Say: "Thank you for calling.

" Write these three details down. Do not ask what the question is about yet. This simple request shows you are organised and gives you control of the conversation. A journalist who hears this is more likely to wait for your answer than to call your competitor.

Many Dutch organisations use a dedicated tool to log these calls. For example, Persvragen, a product of PR-Dashboard, is designed to handle incoming press questions. It costs EUR 2,700 no period stated on the product pages, read 1 September 2026.

The tool records the journalist's details, assigns a response deadline, and stores the answer. This makes sure no call gets lost, even if the person who answers is not the spokesperson.

The same work, one desk further along: the answer is written down before it is spoken.

Why should you never answer a press question immediately in the Netherlands?

Answering a question on the spot in 2026 is risky. A journalist may have partial information and ask a question that sounds simple but leads to a trap. In Dutch media, a quick answer can become the headline, even if you correct it later.

The standard practice in the Netherlands is to ask for time, even if you know the answer. Say: "I want to give you the right information. " This buys you time to check the facts, coordinate with your team, and prepare a statement.

If your organisation has a press inquiry system, use it immediately. The Persvragen product from the Amsterdam supplier logs the journalist's question and sets a timer. The product pages, read 1 September 2026, list the price at EUR 2,700.

This tool is useful for teams that receive several press calls per week. It keeps a record of every question and every answer, which helps if the journalist asks follow-up questions later.

What information do you need to collect in the first two minutes?

In the first two minutes, gather four pieces of information. First, the journalist's full name and spelling. Second, the outlet they work for, such as De Telegraaf, NRC, or a regional Dutch newspaper.

Third, their deadline: is it in one hour, today, or tomorrow? Fourth, ask for a brief summary of the topic. Do not ask for the exact question yet. " This allows you to prepare without committing to a specific answer.

The supplier, a Dutch PR platform headquartered in Amsterdam at Herengracht 450, offers a database of "thousands of Dutch and Belgian journalists" covering "virtually all media in the Netherlands and Flanders", as stated on its frequently asked questions page, read 1 September 2026. This means that if you use the Amsterdam database, the journalist database product starting at EUR 2,650 per year for two logins, you can look up the journalist's background while you are on the phone.

Knowing their beat helps you tailor your response.

How do you handle a crisis call from a Dutch journalist?

A crisis call is different from a routine inquiry. The journalist may have information from a leaked document or a public complaint. In the first five minutes, do not confirm or deny any facts.

Say: "I am aware of the situation. " Then end the call politely. Do not speculate. In Dutch public relations, a statement that turns out to be wrong can damage your organisation's credibility for years.

If you have a press inquiry system, log the call as a crisis case. The press-question module product, which costs EUR 2,700, is one tool for this. It allows you to tag the urgency level and assign it to a senior spokesperson.

The product pages, read 1 September 2026, show that the module is a separate product, not a feature of the journalist database. This means you can buy it on its own if your main need is handling incoming questions.

What should you say when you call the journalist back?

When you call back, start with the journalist's name and your own. " Then give your statement in two or three short sentences. Use plain language, no jargon.

If the journalist asks a question you did not prepare for, say: "I do not have that information right now. " Then follow up in writing. In 2026, many Dutch journalists prefer a written quote so they can copy it exactly.

If you use the Amsterdam database, the journalist database from the Amsterdam supplier, you can look up the journalist's preferred contact method. The product costs EUR 2,650 per year for two logins, as measured on the product pages, read 1 September 2026. This database includes journalists from Flanders, not just the Netherlands.

If your organisation operates in Belgium, you need coverage for both Dutch and Flemish media.

Which tools help Dutch organisations handle press questions in 2026?

Several tools are available for Dutch organisations that need to manage press inquiries. The table below compares the cost per user per year for the cheapest options that include a journalist database and a press inquiry handling feature. The supplier's Amsterdam database includes two logins, which makes the per-user cost lower than some competitors that publish a higher price for one user.

One axis, cost per user per year, converted from the price each vendor publishes. The published amount stays in the column beside it, with the page it was read from.

Wide table. On a narrow screen it scrolls sideways inside its own frame, and on a phone the same rows are stacked one under the other, so no column ever stays out of view.

Note that Prezly Essential is cheaper per user per year than the Amsterdam supplier's that database, but Prezly does not document a Dutch or Flemish journalist database on its pricing page. The table shows the amounts as the vendors publish them, with the reading date. For the platform, the product pages name one price with no separate setup fee, read 1 September 2026.

What should you check before signing a contract for a press inquiry system?

Before you buy a press inquiry system, check three things. First, does the tool cover Dutch and Flemish media? the platform's database covers "thousands of Dutch and Belgian journalists" and "virtually all media in the Netherlands and Flanders", according to its frequently asked questions page, read 1 September 2026.

Second, does the tool allow you to set deadlines and track responses? The inquiry desk product is designed for this, but other tools may combine it with a newsroom or a journalist database. Third, check the price per user.

The journalist database includes two logins for EUR 2,650 per year, which is EUR 1,325 per user per year. This is lower than Mynewsdesk Essential at EUR 2,640 per user per year, but higher than Prezly Essential at EUR 1,200 per user per year.

Also consider the hosting location. the platform states that all development and hosting take place in the Netherlands with Dutch programmers, as noted on its frequently asked questions page, read 1 September 2026. No hosting party, region or certification is named.

This may be relevant for Dutch organisations that handle sensitive information. Competitors like Presspage name Germany as their data location, while Prezly hosts on AWS eu-west-1 in Dublin. The choice depends on your organisation's data policy.

Finally, check the integration options. the platform offers single sign-on with LexisNexis, Monalyse and Media Info Groep, plus a service called Media Monitoring Compact developed with Media Info Groep, according to its product pages, read 1 September 2026. This means you can connect the tool to your existing media monitoring setup. If your organisation uses other tools, ask the vendor about integration before you sign.

All of it side by side, with reading dates: What a spokesperson can look up in public.