Angela de Jong, TV critic at the AD, believes that freedom of expression in the Netherlands is “under pressure” because there are protests against racist ideas. In this case, it concerns a row around the reality TV character Erica Meiland who was xenophobic and derogatory about Muslim women. A number of companies subsequently withdrew as sponsors of the Meiland family.
“Companies that sponsor look at two things, reach and image. The moment the image no longer corresponds to what they want to radiate, they break the contract,” explains Nadine Ridder that makes it clear that companies value diversity and that they also put a lot of effort into implementing it. The brand strategist therefore finds it logical that companies should withdraw if the sponsor partner starts to use Islamophobic language. “It is not a cancel culture but accountability: do you meet the objectives you say you have.”
De Jong acknowledges that companies have every right to do so and then starts talking about the protests against program VI after racist remarks were made there again. “That also had to be taken off the pipe at the time.” Nadine points out that the program still exists.
Presenter Jort Kelder tries to contribute to the discussion by claiming that only a judge can determine what is racist, after which Nadien reminds him that that is another discussion.
Finally, De Jong believes that it is unfair that no one would protest if they made derogatory remarks about nuns. Apparently she has not yet realized that the third-largest party in the House of Representatives has made the desire to discriminate against Muslim women a priority.
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