What does Jeroen Pauw think that colleagues at BNNVARA are so angry about that Sophie Hilbrand has been exchanged for a white, bald man? Does he also see Tim de Wit’s appointment as a misstep?
BNNVARA is known as a broadcaster that is of paramount importance to diversity, but it was nevertheless decided not to put a woman on the site of the departing Sophie Hilbrand. The new co-host of Jeroen Pauw on the late evening of NPO 1 is Tim de Wit and the name changed from Bar Laat in Pauw & De Wit. And that sticks internally …
‘It’s frustrating’
Amber Kortzorg, known for the former OP1, started bouncing earlier when Tim was appointed as a regular replacement for Jeroen. “I recently even considered resigning when a third presenter was sought for Talkshow Bar Laat and that again became a white man,” she said in March in De Telegraaf.
“Then I thought: I am in all kinds of advisory committees for inclusion and diversity, I am always asked to think along and I do that with love. If you make such a decision after five years, I will not find that to unite. My director knows this too, he responded well and it is now pronounced. But it is sometimes frustrating.”
Black woman
In fact, a black woman should have been there, says Amber. “Whether I wanted to be that presenter myself? Well, I think I could have been. But if it had become a woman, preferably in color, I would have liked it.”
Now that Tim has been promoted from replacement to regular presenter, that Amber is again angry, reports RTL Boulevard. “Again two white men like talk show heroes, that is going to be a number of people in the wrong way. A letter is even sent to the management. Amber Kortzorg is one of the people who sign this letter.”
The letter exists
Amber confirms the existence of that letter. She says: “BNNVARA employees regularly speak out, which is also appreciated by the management. Furthermore, this is an internal issue that we have had a good conversation with the management. I don’t have that conversation through other media.”
And BNNVARA says: “A letter has come up with questions about this choice – not about Tim himself or his qualities, but about diversity. Within the editors and with colleagues we spoke extensively about this choice. Those conversations were good and critical, and confirm how important representation remains for us.”
What does Jeroen think?
What does Jeroen think of all commotion? “I don’t know the letter, I am not logically addressed to me either, I don’t do human resources for BNNVARA. There is certainly a need for female voices in the talk show. We do everything we can when choosing guests to get women at the table.”
“Furthermore, for perspective there are two daily evening talk shows at the NPO, the eve by two women (Eva Jinek and Carrie ten Napel, ed.) And the late evening by two men.”