Press conference: Report on the safety of journalists in the Netherlands

©ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / GinoPress

With an increase in attacks on journalists in the Netherlands, the decision by major Dutch Public Broadcaster NOS to remove their broadcaster logos from its vans in order to protect employees, and following the murder of Peter R. de Vries in broad daylight, the topic of press freedom in the Netherlands is receiving more international attention.

Free Press Unlimited has led an international MFRR fact finding mission and conducted a handful of interviews with, among others, renowned (investigative) journalists, editors-in-chief, the Police Department, key academic figures, and influential policy-makers such as Marcel Gelauff (Editor-in-Chief NOS), Peter Ter Velde (PersVeilig) and Pieter Omtzigt (Member of Parliament). The findings of these interviews have been compiled and mapped out as part of an international research study on the safety of journalists in the Netherlands.

Therefore, Free Press Unlimited is organizing a press conference with the European Center for Press and Media Freedom and the International Press Institute to discuss the findings of this report with among others: Thomas Bruning, Secretary General of the Dutch Association of Journalists,and Pim van Strien, VVD Spokesperson for the Media. Drawing on discussions with a range of experts, a publication by the international fact-finding mission finds that there is a decline in safety for journalists in the Netherlands, both online and offline.

This will be a hybrid event with a chance to ask questions both in-person and online. (Online: follow the livestream at this posted link). 

When: April 13th 3:30-4:30PM
Where: Frits van der Poel Zaal 1 & 2 Nieuwspoort
Registration: https://form.jotform.com/220873714415354

The mission was established in close consultation with the Dutch Association of Journalists, contributions from the International Press Institute and led by the Media Freedom Rapid Response initiative: a consortium that consists of six European press freedom organizations that monitor press freedom in EU-member states.

International fact-finding mission

Free Press Unlimited has taken the lead in an international fact-finding mission. As part of the mission, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners conducted a handful of interviews with, among others, some of the country’s most renowned (investigative) journalists, editors-in-chief, the Police Department, key academic figures, and influential policy-makers. The findings of these interviews have been compiled and mapped out as part of an international research study on the safety of journalists in the Netherlands.

Ultimately, the research study maps out key findings of the discussions that were held, providing expert recommendations in line with the Council of Europe and the European Commission’s Recommendations on the Safety of Journalists.

If you wish to join, please register by clicking here. Registration is required for both physical and online participation.

Directly after the press conference, the Dutch ‘Prize for the Free Word’ will be presented at the same venue. You are more than welcome to attend if you register here.