How a Flemish Catholic newspaper survived war, collaboration, and a total bankruptcy

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Born from a student journal in 1914, De Standaard has navigated a century of upheaval. From its original conservative Catholic mission to its modern, independent stance, the Belgian daily has weathered Nazi occupation, accusations of wartime collaboration, and a dramatic financial collapse that nearly erased it from history.

Founded by Frans Van Cauwelaert, Alfons Van de Perre, and Arnold Hendrix, De Standaard was intended to be a conservative, Catholic voice for Flanders. Its early identity was cemented by the motto Alles voor Vlaanderen - Vlaanderen voor Kristus, or Everything for Flanders - Flanders for Christ. While the paper was slated for a 1914 debut, the outbreak of World War I delayed its first edition until December 1918. Under the guidance of Gustave Sap, who joined in 1919, the publication grew into a significant cultural force.

The paper’s history is marked by profound disruption. During the Second World War, the Nazi occupation forced the paper to cease operations, though its presses were later used to print Het Algemeen Nieuws under the occupiers' control. Following the 1944 liberation, the management faced accusations of collaboration, leading to a two-year ban. The company eventually reclaimed its titles in 1947, returning to its original name. By the 1960s and 1970s, the paper gained a reputation for high-quality, independent foreign affairs reporting, notably challenging American policy in southeast Asia despite its conservative roots.

Financial instability eventually brought the paper to the brink. In 1976, the Standard Group declared bankruptcy, only to be rescued by businessman André Leysen, who established the Flemish Publishers Partnership, or VUM. This transition marked the beginning of a modern era for the publication. In 1999, the paper removed its long-standing religious motto from its front page, and in 2004, it transitioned to a compact format. Today, published by Mediahuis, the paper has largely renounced its historical ideological ties, evolving from its origins as a partisan Catholic daily into a broader, independent news source.

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