Belgium became independent from The Netherlands in 1830. The nation was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. Belgium prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Broadcast media in Belgium is a segmented market with the three major communities--Dutch-speaking, French-speaking, and German-speaking. Each community is largely responsible for their own broadcast media, and multiple TV channels exist for each community. Additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries. Each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters.

Of the over 40 newspapers published in Belgium, most are dailies. Belgians also have ready access to both EU and non-European publications. Of the largest daily Belgian newspapers by circulation, 8 serve the Dutch speaking community and 3 are published in French. Among the Dutch publications are De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad, Het Laatste Nieuws, and Gazet Van Antwerpen. The French publications with large circulation are Le Soir, L'Avenir Du Luxembourg, and Vers L'Avenir. The only German daily, Grenz Echo, is a Catholic publication founded in 1927. Belgium has over four million internet hosts and over 8 million internet users.