Peter van der Vorst has to reveal his colours: is he really the TV man with a moral compass? Or will we soon lump him in with Frans Klein? “I think he now thinks about Matthijs: oops.”
It is inevitable that Peter van der Vorst has included a certain cancellation clause in the contract with his new signing Matthijs van Nieuwkerk. That RTL can immediately fire him if all kinds of improper things come out of the report into the misconduct at DWDD. Will Peter hold on to him after the latest revelations?
Will RTL let this pass?
According to the current boss of BNNVARA, Matthijs grabbed an employee by the throat and pushed him against the wall, and the investigation report states that sexual misconduct also took place in the DWDD editorial office. Surely RTL cannot let this pass until it has been thoroughly investigated? So far it seems…
RTL against The Telegraph: “Matthijs has publicly acknowledged his mistakes (..), apologized and shown self-reflection. The insights Matthijs has gained (..) and the conversations he has had (..) have brought him a new awareness of his role and behavior. Now it is time for him to get back to work with those new insights.”
‘These are new facts’
However, there are now new facts, says Rob Goossens at the desk RTL Boulevard. “It does say something new, namely that the scope is larger and that there was also sexual misconduct in which managers slept with subordinates. We officially knew nothing about that.”
He continues: “The stories went well, but I am very curious: did Matthijs van Nieuwkerk also say something about this when he had his first conversations with RTL?”
Repercussions
Media journalist Mark Koster agrees with this. “I think it will have repercussions, because it contains more details than were in the Volkskrant. The sexual component is also involved and that he was not alone, but that it was commonplace in that editorial office. I think that RTL should also do something with this,” he says The Telegraph.
Angela de Jong writes in it A.D that she thinks Peter only has one option. “First a very big sweep through the Media Park, only then will I want to believe that something will really change. And that also means that RTL must urgently ask itself whether the channel still dares to give Matthijs van Nieuwkerk a new platform.”
‘Is this enough?’
Humberto Tan notes in his talk show to: “This is new, isn’t it? We didn’t know this yet.” Table guest Tina Nijkamp then: “I think RTL now thinks: oops. I do think that these new facts and this report are a bit more explosive than that Volkskrant article was. And also that it brings a new stain on Matthijs to the public.”
It hinders his popularity, according to Tina. “I think RTL thinks: oh, this is very intense, what has happened. I think they will just let Matthijs go to work at the end of April, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they postpone that until the autumn, for example.”
‘Does the public still want it?’
Angela wonders whether the viewer wants to see Matthijs at all. “It must be an amazing experience to see him and wonder if maybe earlier that day he grabbed one of his editors by the throat, pulled him over the table and pushed him to the ground. For example, because the sound at the rehearsal was not good.”
Does NPO boss Frederieke Leeflang actually think that Matthijs still deserves a place at RTL? “You should ask RTL that. He now works there. That is the employer and they must determine whether or not they think Van Nieuwkerk has a place there,” she says News hour.
‘RTL wants raunchiness’
Telegraaf columnist Nausicaa Marbe thinks Matthijs should pack, she writes X. “If you are really ‘ashamed’, quit TV and editors. You have a serious behavioral problem, communicate through aggression/humiliation and still don’t realize that whoever sees your face is thinking of harm you did to others? Not a bit has changed, get out!”
That man can retire effortlessly, she thinks. “Precisely. But RTL wants the raunchiness, sensation and the viewing figures. I expect broadcasters not to offer such a repeat offender a platform and an opportunity to act inhumanely in newsrooms again.”
“Is Peter sorry?”
EenVandaag editor Marc Belinfante cannot imagine that Peter is not scratching his head. “Would RTL director Peter van der Vorst already regret bringing DE Matthijs to RTL?” he writes on X.
Journalist Ton F. van Dijk then: “Well, he’s probably starting to have doubts.”
One thing is certain: RTL can hardly avoid at least suspending Matthijs until it is clear what is true about the alleged physical and sexual misconduct, says integrity researcher Marjan Olfers in Humberto. “Now people want to know: were you the one who used that physical violence?”