update
After previous criticism from regulators, Ongehoord Nederland (ON!) is now also receiving a harsh blow from all other member broadcasters in Hilversum. If things don’t change at ON! In their opinion, this broadcaster cannot even continue within the public system, they write in a confidential letter. Media Minister Letschert says he is taking the concerns seriously.
Gudo Tienhooven, Edwin van der Aa
In the unique, joint letter – of which this website saw the draft version – the other member broadcasters state no longer being able to collaborate with ON! and they call on media minister Rianne Letschert to take ‘appropriate measures’ against this broadcaster. The letter was signed by all broadcasters minus NOS and NTR, because these are neutral task broadcasters. The NPO will send a joint response to the minister shortly.
The broadcasters write, among other things, that the actions and attitude of the controversial right-wing Ongehoord Nederland are damaging the entire public broadcaster and are an obstacle to further cooperation. The mere fact that ON! adds a new voice to the public system, they do not consider it a free pass.
According to some insiders, the minister should put the aspiring broadcaster under guardianship and enforce improvements at ON! If that does not produce sufficient results in the near future, the only option left is to withdraw the broadcasting concession. Because if the current situation continues, according to the broadcasters, there is no longer a basis for permanent participation of Ongehoord Nederland in the system and for cooperation.
Moreover, the broadcasters emphasize that the sound in society that ON! represents, must be heard. But confidence in the current Ongehoord Nederland organization is gone, because the board of ON! are
would not take administrative responsibility. So that sound would have to be transferred to another existing broadcaster.
Moderate cooperation
Since joining the system as an aspiring broadcaster, ON!’s collaboration has been ongoing. moderate within public broadcasting. In addition, the much-discussed broadcaster ravaged in recent years Through internal disputes and lawsuits and various fines were issued. Various supervisors also criticized the internal affairs.
An evaluation committee concluded that ON! has repeatedly failed to comply with the Journalism Code, thereby putting pressure on the reliability of public broadcasting as a whole. The committee called this ‘serious’.
The Media Authority previously added serious concerns about the administrative situation at Ongehoord Nederland, conflicts of interest, compliance with rules and agreements, the separation between business management and editorial staff and financial matters.
‘Survive the struggle’
Director Peter Vlemmix of Ongehoord Nederland says: “We are now concentrating on the fight for survival. Attacks are being launched on us from all sides, now also by all other broadcasters. These are important times for the broadcaster, and also for its supporters, in which we have to ensure that we keep our sound – which is the only truly different sound within public broadcasting – afloat. We are fighting hard for that.”
Response from Minister Letschert
In a response, Letschert expressed his concerns about ON! to take seriously. “The evaluation committee’s report contains worrying conclusions about ON. It was written on behalf of the NPO, the umbrella organization of the public broadcaster. I have previously asked the NPO what it thinks of the report and asked them for a reflection.”
She continues: “I have previously received verbal signals that the other broadcasting associations in the system have concerns about the functioning of ON. I have not yet received a formal letter from the broadcasters, which should initially be addressed to the NPO. It is now important that the NPO quickly provides a complete reflection so that I can determine what my framework for action is.”
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