Dear Listener, fan, opponent, audience, hater, MNM fan, I have to tell you something about the news that is now circulating faster on social media than COVID-19.
And if you haven’t heard it yet, turn up your radio, your MNM app, or your television. And listen in, because I would love to tell my part of a story.
And then?
And then? That I and a few other male Flemish celebrities have made nude images of ourselves in the private sphere? Nobody knows how and in what circumstances they were made. And with which nobody else has any business.
Because now imagine that someone finds your phone. And see your footage. That you actually made it all for yourself. Or your wife, or your husband, or someone you love.
And that someone finds that extremely fascinating and even a bit exciting to share those images with other people. Who know other people. Who also know other people… In such a way that it ends on all screens and screens all over the world.
And suddenly you become the perverted target of ridicule and hate. Imagine going to the store with your son. Where people recognize you and just poof! Loudly laughing obscene gestures start to make. While your son is there.
And then?
In the last few days I’ve been reading stories and assumptions that great directors could use for a new Oscar nomination. Fiction and beyond. Stories that are completely made up and that testify to a wonderful but dangerous fantasy.
With leading roles and supporting roles that have nothing to do with the story in the slightest. Innocent people. And the worst comes: there is not even a story. Names are mentioned on social media of those innocent people who knew nothing about it until a few days ago. And sincerely have nothing to do with this either. Until Tik Tok…
Without anyone asking questions or just like that?
Ewel. I have good news for you. It’s not possible. This is 2020. In this country you are not allowed to send private images without permission. Forwarding sexting images without permission carries penalties. Imprisonment sentences of 5 years. 5 years if you get those images and share them without permission.
So if you forwarded images to your friends in the group with your WhatsApp today because it is so incredibly comical, the judge could sentence you to 5 years in prison.
And then?
Ewel. And then there is my family. Our family. All those powerful and beautiful people around us. Area. Those people we all like to see and who like to see us. And who have not asked for this at all.
I ask you, looking in your eyes: “Leave that alone”. Do you feel like laughing? Making crazy memes or filling your excess time with mean comments? Then share them with us. Gang of gypsies that we are… Huh…? But don’t share that with the people we love. Again, imagine your underage daughter getting sexual comments because there are images of her daddy that are not actually intended for anyone’s eyes.
And then?
Ewel. I’ve talked to people. I called. I have cried. I’ve raged what a gigantic calf I’ve been. I have learned. I’ve been thinking a lot. And now I have also spoken. To make you think. About the consequences of what is happening right now.
You think I’m a criminal? A pervert? A pervert? Stand in front of your mirror today. Look long. Because you wanted to see those images, right? Also a bit perverse… You wanted to forward it to everyone you know. Well, that was really criminal …
Do you feel that shame? Then feel what I have felt. What we have felt. And what you never want to feel. Because fair? It’s about our personal sexuality. And that is private. From U.S. And you have as much to do with that as I do with yours.
And then?
Then it’s time to discuss sexting. To ensure that this has not been in vain. For young people and less young people. That is why you can contact MNM with all your questions tonight. Because just because we’re a radio station doesn’t mean we’re not humans. People who listen to you and who talk to you.
And then?
Am I not going to say anything?
No. I’m not going to argue with anyone. Because that makes no sense. Because what happened is private and I don’t need to go into that further.
And now I’m going to play a huge hit on MNM. Because I am also very good at that.
I love you. All of them.
Peter Van de Veire
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