Press conference in The Hague to discuss safety of journalists in the Netherlands
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. 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: crime reporter Paul Vugts and Thomas Bruning, Secretary General of the Dutch Association of Journalists. This will be a hybrid event with a chance to ask questions both in-person and online.
Location: Nieuwspoort, The Hague
Date & time: 13 April 3:30-4:30pm
To register click here
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.
The Netherlands is internationally known for having one of the highest levels of press freedom worldwide (ranking 6th in the 2021 World Press Freedom Index); PersVeilig often being cited as a best-practice example. However, there are growing concerns regarding an uptake in aggression against journalists. 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.
International fact-finding mission
To investigate this further, Free Press Unlimited has taken the lead in an international fact-finding mission. As part of the mission, Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners, together with the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, 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.
Photo: DasyaDasya
