Ministers, members of parliament and journalists react indignantly, Prime Minister Rutte speaks of ‘a new low’. The stumbling block is a video series, ‘Unmasked sewer rats’, in which FvD announces that it will show ‘sewer rats in their true form’. In the first episode, Van Meijeren assaults political reporter Merel Ek of SBS6 with a camera and microphone in her office in the parliament building. He said he had a bone to pick with her because of an interview last week, in which he felt he was not treated fairly. He announced that he will be doing this more often. “As long as those journos get away with their disgusting practices, they will continue to do it unabashedly. Confrontation is therefore unavoidable unfortunately.’
Ek emphasized on Sunday that she is always willing to discuss her work with politicians. “But the way this is being done now is going too far.” In this she received loud support from the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ). He called the action “alarming and evil in all respects”. ‘Especially because he is a Member of Parliament and announces that this is the start of a series. He actually threatens: “Journalists, beware.” Actions like this undermine the role of a journalist.’ The NVJ is investigating whether it can take legal action against FvD.
The Parliamentary Press Association has taken ‘with great concern the harassment of our colleague’. Chairman Joost Vullings promises ‘to do everything to support her’.
‘Pure poison’
The cabinet and the House of Representatives are very concerned about Van Meijeren’s action. Prime Minister Rutte speaks of a new low. ‘In a democracy, journalists should be able to do their job without being discredited.’
Deputy Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag: ‘Every time you think ‘the bottom is in sight’, it turns out to be worse and more dangerous. Disinformation and intimidation undermine society. So is this absurd provocation. This transcends party politics, it is about our democracy. Speak out.’
Similar reactions came from CDA minister Hugo de Jonge (‘pure poison, this’), VVD state secretary Eric van der Burg (‘disgusting, malicious and life-threatening’) and party leaders such as Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie) and Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks). ). ‘This is a threat to the safety of journalists, to free speech, to our democracy. scary. Unacceptable,” said Segers.
Suspension Baudet
Van Meijeren recorded his video on Thursday, two days after FvD leader Baudet was suspended for a week by a large majority in the House of Representatives for concealing his additional income. Insofar as there was any hope, among other MPs, that that punishment would have a moderating effect on the FvD, the bottom was struck that Sunday. Baudet rallied squarely behind Van Meijeren. “The whole cartel is moving. After all, journalists are their line of defense! Thanks to the one-sided, colored, demonizing work of these journos, political opponents stay at a distance and the destruction of the Netherlands is hidden from view.’
A spokesperson for Forum also showed that he was not impressed by the widely shared indignation against the ANP news agency. FvD will not be discouraged by this, he announces: In the coming period, Van Meijeren will ‘more often investigate with a camera to expose one-sided reporting, demonization and fake news and to confront its distributors with their actions’.