Women Press Freedom demands investigation and calls on broadcaster to overhaul its leadership and culture to guarantee equitable and dignified treatment for employees

Location: The Netherlands, Hilversum

Date: February 28, 2024

Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with the journalists who have courageously come forward to reveal the systemic bullying, discrimination, and culture of fear they experienced at WNL, a prominent broadcaster within the Dutch public broadcasting system NPO. The distressing testimonies of Roos Moggré, Eva Jinek, Nikki Herr, Leonie ter Braak, Margreet Spijker, Merel Westrik, Roos Barneveld, and Rachel Franse paint a harrowing picture of the workplace environment at WNL. The allegations of pregnancy discrimination, body-shaming, and suppression of journalistic freedom are particularly concerning and indicative of a deep-seated culture of misogyny and fear. Women Press Freedom condemns in the strongest terms the actions of Bert Huisjes, WNL's editor-in-chief and director, whose reported behavior has contributed significantly to a toxic work environment. Leadership roles come with the responsibility to foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. It is clear from the accounts shared that this was not the case at WNL. We call on the board of directors of the NPO and the leadership at WNL to take swift and transparent measures to ensure accountability for those responsible for perpetuating this culture of fear and discrimination. Furthermore, we urge the implementation of robust policies and mechanisms that protect all employees from harassment and discrimination, promote gender equality, and ensure a safe working environment.

LATEST VIOLATIONS

In a revealing investigation by the Dutch newspaper AD, over eight women journalists have come forward with allegations of systematic bullying, discrimination, and a pervasive culture of fear at WNL, a prominent broadcaster within the Dutch public broadcasting system NPO. The allegations have brought to light significant issues within the organization, challenging the public's perception of the media landscape in The Netherlands.

The journalists, including well-known figures like Roos Moggré, Eva Jinek, Nikki Herr, Leonie ter Braak, Margreet Spijker, Merel Westrik, Roos Barneveld, and Rachel Franse, have detailed a range of abuses from pregnancy discrimination and body-shaming to suppression of journalistic integrity. Ter Braak's account of losing her television spot after pregnancy leave to being suggested night radio instead underscores the precarious situation many women found themselves in.

“I felt very vulnerable and anxious during my leave,” says Leonie ter Braak about her pregnancy leave. “The contract proposal stating that I would return was never signed. A week before my return, I lost my solo spot on television, and it was suddenly suggested that I do night radio for the time being.” 

The revelations published by newspaper AD follow a research report by the Van Rijn commission on cross-border behavior at the public broadcaster, which revealed 29 percent of the WNL employees rated their job satisfaction with a grade of 5 or lower. At the other broadcasters, this was an average of 9 percent. This report, coupled with the personal testimonies of the journalists, paints a damning picture of the toxic work culture at WNL.

At the core of WNL's toxic work environment is Bert Huisjes, whose dual role as editor-in-chief and director left employees feeling trapped. "Because Huisjes had all the hats... there was nowhere you could go to share your story or concerns," ter Braak explained. Huisjes' unpredictable behavior, oscillating between praise and criticism, fostered an atmosphere of instability and fear.

"He could praise you to the skies one moment and question your position the next," reports Merel Westrik, who worked as a presenter for the broadcaster between 2011 and 2014.

Pregnancy discrimination happened often, as well as body-shaming. Roos Moggré says she wasn’t sure if she would be allowed back after her leave. “If you were pregnant, you were left in doubt about your job for a long time, punished in the schedule and challenged about your body or energy.”

The AD saw an email from Huisjes to an employee in which he advised her to 'exercise and lose weight' if she wanted to realize her further TV ambitions. She had just returned from maternity leave. 

Many complained about editorial interference and silencing of dissenting voices. Former executive editor of Goedemorgen Nederland was told after criticism: "May I remind you that you have a temporary contract here?"

When journalists would push back, Huisjes would show he did not appreciate it. “He plays it very much on the person with texts such as 'you are unworthy of a journalist'. Humiliating,” a current employee tells AD.

"It's like being in a relationship with a charming man who abuses you. That's what it feels like: that I have been mentally abused,” another anonymous journalist tells AD.

“It is modern slavery,” says an anonymous source, also referring to the Van Rijn report, which states that WNL respondents work on average twice as much overtime compared to elsewhere.

Roos Barneveld, a radio editor at WNL between 2016 and 2018, also criticizes the 'messy organization'. "No payment for overtime and irregular hours allowance. I missed out on about 5,000 euros, but I didn't dare go after it. I thought: I will soon have Bert against me. What are the consequences?”

Guests of programs who were favorable to the right-wing broadcaster or important for the future of WNL had to be kept on good terms. The CDA and the VVD were especially spared, according to former political editor Joost Bekendam. "These parties were consciously given easy passes in interviews."

The board of directors of the NPO is shocked by the revelations. "There should be no place for undesirable behavior or a socially unsafe working environment at the public broadcaster. It is of great importance that employees feel supported in not accepting cross-border behavior."

Women Press Freedom is deeply troubled by the recent revelations of systematic bullying, discrimination, and the creation of a culture of fear at WNL. It is unacceptable for any organization, especially a public broadcaster with a significant role in shaping societal narratives, to foster or tolerate an environment where employees, particularly women, are subjected to such treatment. The findings of the Van Rijn commission, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction among WNL employees, further emphasize the urgent need for systemic change within the broadcaster. Women Press Freedom calls for immediate and transparent actions to be taken by WNL and the NPO board of directors to address these serious issues. We demand a thorough investigation into the allegations, accountability for those found responsible, and the implementation of robust mechanisms to protect employees from discrimination and harassment. Moreover, we urge WNL to reassess its leadership and organizational culture to ensure that all employees, regardless of gender, are treated with fairness and dignity.

Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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