Harm Edens is annoyed by the opinions that Victor Vlam spouts. The presenter of Dit Was Het Nieuws urges him to worry about really important matters. “Darfur for example!”
TV critic Victor Vlam is annoyed that the media do not dare to name why Esmah Lahlah, despite her second position on the GroenLinks-PvdA list, was not in the picture to succeed party leader Frans Timmermans. Ultimately, Jesse Klaver became the new leader and Esmah remains in second position.
Headscarf
It is very clear why Esmah is in second place, Victor thinks. “It’s remarkable how the media beat around the bush: Esmah Lahlah’s second place on the electoral list has everything to do with her headscarf. With Eva, Jinek mentioned it very briefly, but the guests did not dare to mention it. While that is precisely the job of the media.”
He continues X: “The fact that it is annoying for Esmah Lahlah to hear should never be a reason for the media to leave it unsaid. Journalism is not there to save, but to mention, even if it is uncomfortable.”
Signboard
When a follower notes that Joost Vullings did mention it with Eva, Victor says: “He didn’t mention it. Vullings only said that she was only used as a billboard and was not a real number two. The reason why she was used as a billboard remained vague until Jinek briefly pointed it out.”
Inconvenient truths must be clearly stated, the TV critic believes. “You sometimes read that party members say anonymously in the newspaper that she needs to do more flying hours to become a good Member of Parliament. Nobody took her second place seriously.”
Harm critical
Harm Edens, the presenter of Dit Was Het Nieuws, is bothered by Victor’s criticism. “Wow, what a profound, brave analysis. Go do something about Darfur!”
Victor then: “What a strange reaction. With Darfur you can put everything into perspective.”