TV presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk’s original come-out statement following allegations of his behind-the-scenes misconduct at The world goes on leaked. Show little remorse.
The original version of the statement that Dutch presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk (62) wanted to make last week was leaked to the Dutch media. Moreover The Telegraph message about it.
The statement in question was Van Nieuwkerk’s first response to the file of The Volkskrant about the behind-the-scenes abuse of The world goes on. The paper spoke to dozens of talk show employees. Their testimonies showed that Van Nieuwkerk’s outbursts of anger led to stress, feelings of insecurity, exhaustion and other serious psychological disorders.
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The talk show host’s tone is much more edgy in the first version, now leaked, than in the one that finally came out. This was also the reason his Public Broadcasting bosses wanted another statement drafted. NPO President Frederieke Leeflang and NPO Director Frans Klein had urged Van Nieuwkerk to do so. The two best boys were present at the tapings of Best quizzes 2000 and spoke to Van Nieuwkerk about the situation, writing The Volkskrant in The Telegraph. They would have told Van Nieuwkerk that his statement contained nothing of regret. The two would then have advised the presenter to insert an expression of regret in her statement.
Outdoor party
The first version read: “The fact that we have apparently failed to give everyone a secure and reassured feeling has to do with the sharp scissors of an ambition to make the best television in the country every day.” I’ve been trying for fifteen years.” His response to the more concrete accusations was as follows: ‘And the suggestion that he forced someone to kneel? And that I would make Paris unsafe? Do me a favor.’
In the statement, he also rails against the two former editors-in-chief and expresses no remorse for his tyrannical behavior. He did it in the second version. That lack of understanding of regret also blew the partnership between Van Nieuwkerk and broadcaster BNNVara.
Meanwhile, Van Nieuwkerk has expressed his willingness to participate in the investigation that the Dutch public broadcaster is carrying out on the behind-the-scenes working conditions of the programme. The research is performed by an external party, although NPO will remain the client. NPO director Klein has temporarily resigned ahead of the investigation.
