Peter van der Vorst always presented himself as the TV boss with a moral compass, but is disappearing now that there are new dirt about Matthijs van Nieuwkerk is on the street. Who supports him? Johan Derksen…
Matthijs van Nieuwkerk was contracted by RTL 4 with the knowledge that he shouted like a tyrant on the editorial floor of De Wereld Draait Door and that he made life difficult for employees there. But now the Van Rijn committee and the director of BNNVARA also report physical and sexual misconduct.
RTL supports Matthijs
Two hours after the publication of the report, RTL boss Peter van der Vorst responded that Matthijs can simply start working at the channel with his new insights. But only after that reaction did the riot about the new Matthijsdirt just really broke out. The presenter seems even more wrong than expected: he allegedly grabbed someone by the throat.
Telegraaf reporter Jordi Versteegden say: “I just got on the phone and asked: ‘Hey, RTL, do you stick to the statement you gave two hours after the report appeared, namely that Matthijs has learned from this and that he will return in April? can start?’ “Yes,” says RTL. ‘As far as we are concerned, he can just start again.’”
Diving behavior
Rob Goossens, expert in RTL Boulevard, finds it striking that RTL does not want to respond substantively to the new information about Matthijs. “We think it is really a new situation compared to when he arrived at RTL. But RTL has announced that it will stick to yesterday’s statement.”
Colleague Vivienne van den Assem finds the responses from Matthijs and RTL ‘not sufficient’. Both Luuk Ikink and Rob find it strange that the presenter does not take legal action if his alleged physical and sexual misconduct were not true. “RTL is taking all the time to respond to this. There is also some discomfort,” says Rob.
Support from Derksen
RTL’s TV boss Peter van der Vorst is now receiving support from… Johan Derksen. And that is the last thing you want to receive support from as a TV major with a moral compass. “I really hope that those two guys from RTL keep their backs straight, because there are two hundred people who have handed in a note with accusations,” he snorts. Today Inside.
He continues: “All those ladies we know, those good guys, have been crying and they immediately shout that it should be cancelled. He has to go, go, go. Hasn’t he been punished enough yet? (…) I would find RTL a very cowardly channel if they put it on hold based on what is happening now.”
Theo as a sidekick
René van der Gijp thinks that they are not happy at RTL. “Those two, Van der Vorst and Sven, must have said to each other this morning: ‘Good grief.’ Don’t you think so? It bothers them anyway. I really give everyone a second chance and it is up to the audience to say: dude, are we going to watch or not?”
RTL is working on plans for a daily program with Matthijs during the Olympic Games. Just keep going, says Johan. “Maybe it would be an idea to make Theo Maassen a sidekick!”
After all, according to Johan, it is also spotless. And apparently everything is now possible at RTL…