It was a turbulent political week in which NRC also became part of the commotion.
On Thursday afternoon we broke the news that informant Hans Wijers had spoken negatively on election night about the possibility of a center-right cabinet with JA21. He had also called VVD leader Yesilgöz a liar on a stage during this drink, several sources confirmed to NRC. For an informant whose job is to bring together a workable coalition, it is remarkable that he publicly expressed his preference for a specific composition. That is relevant information, we concluded, and we must deliver that news. The Telegraph also published an article on the same afternoon based on their own sources.
Initially, the newly appointed informant distanced himself from his statements in a response to NRC and apologized. These were broadly accepted by the VVD. It seemed for a moment as if the formation could continue.
On Friday, a new dynamic emerged when journalist Eric Smit, founder of Follow the Money, wrote in a message on LinkedIn that he had called Yesilgöz a liar at the election meeting in question. The fact that Smit remembers that evening differently does not alter the fourteen sources that say otherwise.
At the same time, investigative journalist Hugo Logtenberg received new information. It turned out that Wijers called Yesilgöz “that shrew from the VVD” in a recent app message. NRC had asked Wijers questions about that app on Friday around noon, after which Wijers himself concluded that his position had become untenable.
In the editorial office we were aware of the impact of these pieces. We also saw that NRC faced criticism on social media and from other news organizations. Dissatisfied readers reported to customer service. Why does NRC write about private matters? Does NRC want to derail the formation?
It is good to explain how an editorial team works during an important time such as a formation. During the campaign, the party leaders are everywhere. They want to spread their message and win votes. But during formation, the hatches largely come down. There are press moments, but a lot of important information is not told.
From the moment it was announced last Wednesday that Wijers had been appointed as formateur on behalf of D66, we in the editorial office wanted to know: what does the choice of Wijers, with his economic knowledge and track record in the business community, say about how Rob Jetten wants to tackle the bumpy path towards a cabinet?
Investigative journalist Logtenberg started calling around in party circles. Many dozens of phone calls led him to the trail of the meeting in question on election night, a drinks party by entrepreneur Willem Sijthoff in Amsterdam where about two hundred guests were present. Fourteen of those present confirmed Wijers’ various statements to Logtenberg. When he had verified the loaded app a day later, he knew: this was not a ‘slip of the tongue’ by Wijers during a nice drink, as he stated at a press moment, but a statement that was in line with his personal opinion.
Of course, at NRC we have weighed up the interests. We explicitly consider this with every publication: when our journalists write about people, we are, in a way, infringing on the right to privacy. That infringement must be justified by the social importance of the news.
In the decision we made in the editorial office, we felt that the coverage of the meeting and the app message were justified. Wijers is a public figure. This means that he must accept that his statements will come under a magnifying glass more quickly. Wijers had an important public task as an informant. His views and statements about this are then very relevant. This also applies to statements made at a meeting with invited guests.
Checking power is our job, no matter who holds that power. As NRC, we must do what we are good at: show what is happening – also behind the scenes, at private parties, in corridors. We do this independently. For that reason we previously published revelations about prospective Prime Minister Ronald Plasterk and, during the previous formation two years ago, scout Gom van Strien.
We are guided by finding the truth, not by political interests. When facts emerge, we do not keep them under wraps.
This is the text of the editor-in-chief’s newsletter, which is published weekly on Sundays. You can subscribe here.
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