| Newspaper Name: |
Het Laatste Nieuws |
| Newspaper name in English: |
The Latest News |
| Alternative Names: |
HLN |
| Owner: |
DPG Media |
| Country / Region: |
Belgium (Antwerp) |
| Language: |
Dutch |
| Format type: |
Newspaper |
| Category: |
General |
| Political alignment: |
Liberal |
| Frequency: |
Daily |
| Publication Years (print version): |
1888 — now (135 years) |
| Circulation: |
284,000 (2015) |
| Official Pages: |
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| Official Apps: |
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| Website: |
hln.be [read with translation] |
|
The Belgian edition «Het Laatste Nieuws», which means «Latest News», was first published in 1888. Since its foundation, the newspaper has promoted liberal values and defended the interests of the Flemish region in Brussels. The newspaper's founder and first editor was journalist Julius Hosteon. Under his leadership, most of the newspaper's publications were framed in a rather harsh and sensational tone, for which the newspaper was regularly criticized. Later, when the post of editor-in-chief of the newspaper was taken over by his son, the publication underwent changes and became more moderate in its statements, but its original goals and objectives remained the same-to represent the interests of Flanders.
In 1955, in order to ensure the financial independence of the newspaper, the newspaper had an investment fund. In 1957, «De Nieuwe Gazet», a regional newspaper in Antwerp, joined the foundation. The collaboration between the two publications lasted until 1963, when they completely merged. In 1993, Het Laatste Nieuws became part of the media company De Persgroep.
By 1995, «Het Laatste Nieuws» had grown into a sensationalist, populist newspaper with a total daily circulation of almost 300,000 copies. The daily Dutch-language newspaper provides readers with regional, national and, last but not least, international news. The main sections of the newspaper are: Nieuws (latest news, incidents, current topics), Geld (money, finance), Woon (home, everyday life, family), iHNL (technology, gadgets, Internet), Sport, Reizen (travel), Showbizz (show business, stars, cinema, TV), Nina (women's magazine). Each region of Belgium publishes its own version of the newspaper, which differs in the content of sections with local news. There are more than 20 such separate publications in total.
