Regional media press list for the Netherlands: how to reach local papers and radio

If you need to reach local papers and radio stations in the Netherlands, the direct answer is PR-Dashboard's De Perslijst. This journalist database includes regional titles, papers, trade media, radio and TV, plus blogs, influencers and podcasts, in one up to date file with about 12,000 journalists. This guide explains how to find regional titles, how to segment by region, what your image should show, and how to follow up. It also compares the two main routes: the PR-Dashboard platform and the ANP Connect database, so you can decide which fits your regional campaign. For a step by step method, see this 2026 media list guide.

Why local papers often print releases one to one

Local papers are a practical target for PR because they often publish your message almost exactly as you send it. The Dutch baseball and softball association KNBSB found that local papers often print releases one to one, which means a well written press release can become a published article without much editing. That makes regional media a high value channel for organisations with local news, such as clubs, municipalities and small businesses.

Regional radio behaves differently: a station may read your announcement on air or invite a spokesperson for an interview. The same press list can serve both, because De Perslijst includes radio and TV alongside papers and trade media. You select the medium type that fits your story, then send one release to the right desks.

How to find regional titles in the Netherlands

Finding regional titles starts with the media database, not with a web search. De Perslijst covers almost all media in the Netherlands and Flanders, online and offline, and it is expanded daily with existing data verified. That means a regional weekly that launched last month can appear in the list quickly, and the contact details stay current.

The database includes media titles in more than 150 categories, so you can search for regional papers by province or by the specific category of local news. For a campaign in Gelderland, for example, you filter by region and by medium type, then review the list of titles and their editorial contacts. PR-Dashboard's De Perslijst also carries regional titles as a specific media type, alongside national papers, trade media and broadcasters.

If you need to keep your own contacts alongside the database, the platform has a built in CRM. You can store the email address of a local editor you met at an event, tag it with a region, and combine it with the database records. This is useful when you want to maintain a list of your own journalist data over time, as described in this contact tagging guide.

How to segment a regional press list by region

Segmentation is where a regional campaign succeeds or fails. De Perslijst lets you segment by sector, medium, function, interest area and tags, so you can build a list that matches your story precisely. For a local project, you select regional papers and local radio in a specific province; for a policy story, you choose political desks; for a technical file, you pick trade journalists. The rule of thumb is simple: regional papers for local projects, political desks for policy, trade journalists for technical files.

You can also filter by interest areas, preferences, newsroom, social channels, media, tags and contact information. That means you can find the journalist at a regional paper who covers local business, not just the general news desk. The more specific your segment, the more likely the journalist sees your release as relevant.

For a worked example, imagine a regional energy cooperative launching a solar project in Overijssel. You set the region to Overijssel, the medium type to regional papers and local radio, and the interest area to energy or environment. The database returns the relevant titles and journalists, and you send a release that mentions the specific village and the cooperative's name. Because local papers often print such messages one to one, the chance of publication is high.

What your image should show for regional media

Regional media are visual, and your image should match their format. For a local paper, a photo of the actual location, people or event works better than a generic stock image. For regional radio, a photo is less important, but a clear description of the spokesperson helps the station decide on an interview.

Include a caption that names the people and the place, because local editors often use the caption as the basis for their own text. If you send a release about a local project, add a photo of the site or the team. The database does not create images for you, but it helps you find the right editor to send them to.

How to follow up with regional journalists

Follow up is part of the regional media game. After you send a release, you can check who opened it and who did not, depending on your plan. For a local paper, a phone call to the news desk can work, because the desk is small and the editor often decides quickly. For regional radio, call the program maker directly and ask if they received the release. In both cases, mention the specific angle for their region, not a general pitch. This approach is part of a broader strategy for earned media, explained in this press release guide.

PR-Dashboard versus ANP Connect for regional lists

PR-Dashboard and ANP Connect both offer routes to regional media, but they differ in structure and price. Both numbers refer to the total journalist file, not only regional contacts, so compare the specific segments you need.

Ask both vendors for a demonstration of their regional filters before you choose.

What to ask a vendor before buying a regional press list

Before you buy, ask the vendor how they verify journalist details and how often they update them. PR-Dashboard states that its database is expanded daily and existing data are verified, so ask ANP Connect for its update frequency. Also ask how many regional titles are in the database for your province, and how you can filter by region and medium type.

Ask about the sending limits and the price per year or per send. De Perslijst costs from 2,650 euros per year with 2 logins. For a club or a small organisation, the yearly platform may be easier to budget; for a one off campaign, a per send route may fit. Finally, ask for a sample list of regional titles in your area, so you can see the quality before you commit.

Regional media press list: a practical summary

For reaching local papers and radio in the Netherlands, PR-Dashboard's De Perslijst gives you one database with regional titles, national papers, trade media, radio and TV, plus blogs and podcasts. You segment by region and interest area, send your release, and follow up with the built in tools. Start with a regional test, measure the one to one placements, and refine your list with the built in tags.