It has been in the air for a while, but now it is here: a large article about the disgusting behavior of Bert Huisjes. His professional death warrant is signed by Eva Jinek and Leonie ter Braak.
It is an open secret in Hilversum, but now the rest of the Netherlands also knows: Bert Huisjes, as boss of his broadcaster WNL, behaves like a terrible, horrible man. He is systematically guilty of bullying, intimidation, manipulative behavior and pregnancy discrimination, it reports A.D in a comprehensive article.
Very anxious
Many people have a Matthijs van Nieuwkerk-like fear of Bert. “Sometimes even ten years later, the majority of those involved are anxious and emotional. Some employees suffered a burnout, became overstressed and ended up seeing a psychologist,” the newspaper said.
Bert goes very far in monitoring the right-wing course of the broadcaster, the piece shows. To the point that WNL ‘journalists’ are instructed, for example, to deflate Wierd Duk without contradiction and that there should be no criticism of CDA and VVD. It’s insane, and actually Goedemorgen Nederland and Op1 can no longer be taken seriously.
Eva responds
It is very telling that many well-known presenters who have worked at WNL endorse by name that there is a culture of fear under Bert. Eleven years after her departure, Eva Jinek says she is still ‘nervous and affected’ when it comes to the horror broadcaster boss. “It is not without reason that I worked there for such a short time.”
Eva fully recognizes the terrible stories that the AD writes. “Unfortunately, I recognize the stories. I hope that something will now change for all the young people who work there and who should not end up in these kinds of situations.”
Death sentence
Because of her enormous status, Eva naturally signs Bert’s death warrant. RTL star Leonie ter Braak is also relentless. She says: “The workload was enormous, and there was a culture of fear. Because our editor-in-chief/director wore all hats, there was nowhere to share your story or concerns. I have often been afraid of losing my job.”
It is difficult for Leonie to speak out about this. “Saying this out loud feels like fouling my old nest. But I think that nest deserves a good cleaning.”
Unhealthy culture
Former presenter Nikki Herr also endorses the findings. “People did not feel the freedom to have substantive discussions. People who did go against Huisjes sometimes disappeared again after a few months. Their contract was not renewed, or they left themselves. I have seen the greatest men become small because of Huisjes’ behavior.”
And Merel Westrik: “Bert is a scared man. He was very afraid that WNL would not be able to remain in the order. He could be sweet, praised you to the heavens and shortly afterwards he questioned your position. I sometimes compare it to a dog that you stroke three times and then kick. Everything becomes unpredictable and unsafe.”
Pressure and threat
During her failed summer talk show Half 8 Live, Merel was razed to the ground by Bert. “He didn’t listen, there was only pressure and threats. When I handed in my letter of resignation shortly afterwards, I had to be taken to task. That I blew up the broadcaster, that no one would have a job anymore if I continued this.”
The anonymous responses from former employees paint a poignant picture of how people at WNL have to work under Bert. The broadcaster is called a ‘poisoned nest’, the broadcaster boss ‘Bertlusconi’, ‘Angry Bert’ and a ‘dangerous autocrat’. Roos Moggré also confirms stories of pregnancy discrimination, as does Leonie ter Braak.
Rick and Sven
Bert downplays the AD’s findings in a insulting, cynical way: “Of the hundreds of employees who worked at WNL over the past 12.5 years, fifteen anonymous (former) employees and ten people (named) have reported unpleasant experiences to the AD. I’m sorry to hear that.”
Which WNL prominent figures will stand up for Bert in the newspaper? Significant: two middle-aged men, namely Rick Nieman and Sven Kockelmann. “Bert is editor-in-chief, it would be strange if he didn’t get involved from time to time,” says Rick. And Sven says he ‘doesn’t recognize himself at all’ in the culture of fear described.
AD article
Read the article in the AD here: