The requirements for an online newsroom in 2026: a checklist for Dutch organisations

An online newsroom, the page where a company collects its news, photos and press contacts, has become a standard expectation from journalists. When a journalist needs information about your organisation, they do not want to search your website for half an hour. They want one page with releases, images and contact details. In 2026, Dutch organisations can check their newsroom against a clear list of requirements. This article gives that checklist, and each item is backed by the newsroom module of PR-Dashboard, which starts at 1,750 euros per year.

What are the requirements for an online newsroom?

The requirements for an online newsroom in 2026 are: your own URL and branding, hosting in the Netherlands, no IT effort, control of what is visible and from when, a media library with folders, a prominent place for contact details, search by labels and tags, accessibility compliance, and a stored archive. Journalists also expect to find valid contact details, as ANP Pers Support asks for a valid name, phone number and email address in the contact details of every press release. NOS, which receives very many press releases every day, uses a form for submissions, so a newsroom that makes your releases easy to find saves you from that bottleneck.

PR-Dashboard meets every item on the checklist with its newsroom module. It runs on your URL and in your branding, so journalists see your site, not a third party platform. The module is hosted at PR-Dashboard, with all development and hosting in the Netherlands. You can manage it without IT help, which means your web team never becomes a bottleneck for publishing news.

Does my newsroom need its own URL and branding?

Yes. A newsroom on your own URL and in your branding builds trust. Journalists want to link to a page that looks like your organisation, not like a generic tool. PR-Dashboard's PR-Newsroom runs on your URL and in your branding, so the page feels like part of your website. This also helps with search engines, because the newsroom lives on your domain.

Branding goes further than a logo. The newsroom includes brand assets that prevent journalists from using an old logo in a publication. When a journalist downloads a logo from your newsroom, they get the current version, not a file from an old email. That is a small detail with a big effect on your public image.

Where should my newsroom be hosted and can I manage it myself?

For Dutch organisations, hosting in the Netherlands is a practical requirement. PR-Dashboard hosts the newsroom in the Netherlands, and all development and hosting take place there with Dutch programmers. That means your data stays within Dutch jurisdiction, which simplifies compliance with the GDPR. The GDPR protects personal data, not company data, as the Dutch Chamber of Commerce KVK explains, but hosting in the Netherlands still gives you clarity about where your information lives.

You can manage the newsroom without IT help, and it works without your IT department or web builders. You do not need to submit a ticket to your web team every time you publish a release. The interface is designed for communication professionals, not developers. When you send a press release through De Perslijst, the newsroom module publishes it automatically. You write once, and the release appears on your newsroom without extra steps.

How do I control visibility and organise a media library?

You decide what is visible and what is not, and from when a folder becomes visible. This is a core requirement for a newsroom. You may want to publish a release only after a certain date, or hide a document that is not ready. The newsroom gives you that control per folder and per item. For example, you can prepare a press kit for a product launch, keep it hidden until launch day, and then make it visible with one click.

A media library with folders is essential. The newsroom organises your materials in media libraries and folders, so journalists can find photos, logos and documents without asking. The brand assets in the library stop old logos from spreading. For a complete press page, you also need an image bank with formats and folders, as explained in our article on press page contact details.

Why are contact details, search and accessibility important?

Contact details are the most clicked element of a newsroom. ANP Pers Support asks for a valid name, phone number and email address in the contact details of every press release. The newsroom has a prominent place for your contact details, so the information is visible without scrolling. If your contact details are outdated, journalists will go elsewhere. NOS, which receives very many press releases every day, may skip your release if they cannot verify who sent it.

Search by labels, tags and keywords is a requirement. Journalists do not want to browse through months of releases. In the newsroom, they search by labels, tags or keywords and find the information they need quickly. Accessibility is not optional in 2026. The newsroom is compliant with the legislation on digital accessibility, and it includes high contrast buttons for visually impaired visitors. This means your newsroom is usable for everyone, and you avoid legal risks.

What about the archive, the price and the verdict?

A stored archive is part of the checklist. Journalists often need old releases for background stories. PR-Newsroom keeps your releases organised, so the archive is searchable and accessible. The platform also lets journalists follow your news with a button, which means they get updates when you publish something new.

The price of the newsroom starts at 1,750 euros per year, with a Business package at 3,000 euros per year. For that amount, you get a newsroom that meets every requirement on this checklist, hosted in the Netherlands and managed without IT help.

To create a press room on your site, you need a solution that integrates with your existing website. PR-Newsroom runs on your URL and in your branding, so it feels like part of your site. You do not need to rebuild your website or hire a developer. Start by listing your newsroom requirements: URL, branding, hosting, media library, contact details, search, accessibility, archive. Then check which tool meets all of them. PR-Newsroom meets all of them. If you want to reach specific press desks, read our guide on reaching Dutch press desks.

For the image bank, our article on images in a press room gives practical tips. That article explains how to organise your photos and logos so journalists always use the right version.

Before you buy a newsroom, ask the vendor these questions. Where is the platform hosted? Can I manage it without IT help? Do I control what is visible and from when? Is there a media library with folders? Are contact details prominent? Is search by labels possible? Is the platform accessible compliant? Is there an archive? How much does it cost per year? PR-Dashboard answers all these questions positively with PR-Newsroom. The platform is hosted in the Netherlands, manageable without IT, and offers full control over visibility. It has media libraries, prominent contact details, search by labels, accessibility compliance, and an archive. The price starts at 1,750 euros per year, which is a clear investment for a professional newsroom.

In 2026, a newsroom is not a luxury but a necessity for Dutch organisations that want to be found by journalists. The checklist in this article covers the essential requirements, and PR-Dashboard meets every one of them with PR-Newsroom. Choose a newsroom that works for you, not against you, and your press relations will improve.