Matthijs van Nieuwkerk believes that there are an incredible number of talented newswomen in the TV world and sees Merel Ek as one of them. The political analyst from Today Inside has sea legs, he says.
Clearly inspired by the Olympic Games, Matthijs van Nieuwkerk thought it would be a good idea to award medals himself. Not to athletes, but to newswomen, whom he cheerfully ranks in gold, silver and bronze places in his latest newsletter. “We live in a very strong matriarchy,” he says.
Two VI women
The women mentioned by Matthijs are Saskia Belleman, Suze van Kleef, Kysia Hekster, Marleen de Rooy, Eva Wiessing, Elodie Verweij, Floor Bremer, Daisy Mohr, Fleur Launspach, Nasrah Habiballah, Lale Gül, Marieke de Vries, Anna Gimbrère, Laura van Megen, Nynke de Zoeten, Annemarie Kas, Beatrice de Graaf and Julia Wouters.”
SBS 6 face Noa Vahle also passes by. “And I’m probably forgetting a few aces. Sorry. At the last minute, Merel Ek of course; a woman with sea legs, stands tall in one of the roughest surfs in the Netherlands.”
Gold for Kysia
Who is it gold for? Kysia Hekster from the NOS Journaal. “She molds complex current events into legible block letters. And she cannot be put off; in difficult live circuits she is the eye of the hurricane.”
This woman is ‘critical and mercurial’, according to Matthijs. “Beautiful combination. Her roguish look will never betray that the end of time is behind her.”
Discovery
Marleen de Rooy, also from the NOS, takes silver. “A great discovery. She replaced the supreme Xander van der Wulp, there was actually nothing wrong with that, but (…)
And the bronze? That is for Saskia Belleman from De Telegraaf. “Our best court reporter. For so long. Thank goodness. We often need her. And then she comes! For us. At least, that’s how I see it.”
Heated discussions
Saskia is known as a hard worker. “The reasonable (and factual) voice in often too heated discussions. Deservedly received the Machiavelli Prize for this,” says Matthijs.
He concludes: “And then there is her extra effort to answer questions from followers live during her live court reporting. And off we go again to a talk show table. It is impressive.”
