ANP
News from the NOS••Modified
The intimidation of a journalist by FvD MP Gideon van Meijeren is “inappropriate and unknown,” House Speaker Vera Bergkamp said in a statement.
Yesterday Forum posted a video on YouTube in which political journalist Merel Ek is defined as a “sewer journalist”. It can be seen, among other things, that Van Meijeren addresses the SBS reporter with a rotating camera, because she believes she made a mistake in an interview with him. Ek makes it clear that she doesn’t want to participate in her video of hers, but filming continues.
“Nobody should be attacked with a rotating camera in or near their office,” says Bergkamp. “Not to mention the fact that the sound recordings are made secretly.” The Speaker of the House says he is investigating whether “the rules should and can be tightened”.
To express
It is not clear from the statement which rules are involved. Journalists cannot enter the office of a Member of Parliament with a rotating camera and must let people know if they are recording.
Bergkamp also says he takes the matter very seriously and that he also informed Van Meijeren. After the video was released yesterday, several cabinet members and parliamentarians condemned the Forum’s conduct.
Prime Minister Rutte spoke about it a new low. “In a democracy, journalists should be able to do their jobs without being discredited.”
