Ongehoord Nederland
{{Short description|Dutch public broadcaster}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Ongehoord Nederland
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| formation = {{Start date and age|2019|11|25|df=y}}
| founder = Ybeltje Berckmoes, {{ill|Arnold Karskens|nl}},{{Cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/show/oprichters-ongehoord-nederland-wij-worden-eerste-peter-r-de-vries-vrije-omroep~a89b51e1/|trans-title=Founders Ongehoord Nederland: We are the first Peter R. de Vries-free broadcaster|title=Oprichters Ongehoord Nederland: Wij worden eerste Peter R. de Vries-vrije omroep|language=nl|first=Gudo|last=Tienhoven|date=25 November 2019|access-date=28 February 2025|work=AD}} Pepijn van Houwelingen, {{ill|Haye van der Heyden|nl}} and Joost Niemöller
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| type = Public broadcaster
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| leader_title = Editor-in-chief
| leader_name = Joost Niemöller
| leader_title2 = CEO
| leader_name2 = Peter Vlemmix
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Ongehoord Nederland (ON or ON!, {{literal translation|Unheard Netherlands}}) is a Dutch public broadcaster. ON was founded in 2019 and entered the public broadcasting system in 2022. It frames itself as an alternative for the mainstream media and is generally associated with the radical right.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/04/11/hoe-de-linkse-npo-mikpunt-werd-van-populistisch-rechts-a4195792|title= Hoe de 'linkse' NPO mikpunt werd van populistisch rechts|trans-title=How the 'left-wing' NPO became the target of populist right-wing|work=NRC|first1=Toon|last1=Beemsterboer|first2=Bart|last2=Hinke|language=nl|date=11 April 2024|access-date=28 February 2025}}
History
= Founding (2019–2021) =
The idea for ON arose in a conversation in September 2019 between former war correspondent Arnold Karskens and publicist Joost Niemöller. Since 2017, Karskens had complained in his {{lang|nl|Zwartboek NOS Journaal|italics=yes}} about what he called one-sided reporting of the NOS Journaal. According to Karskens, "ON should stand up for people who advocate for Dutch culture, are critical of the EU, immigration, and the current plans to combat climate change." The broadcaster was founded on 25 November 2019, with former VVD MP Ybeltje Berckmoes and scenarist Haye van der Heyden as co-founders. Their effort was supported by radical right parties Party for Freedom (PVV) and Forum for Democracy (FvD).{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/12/20/ongehoord-nederland-doel-van-50-000-leden-behaald-a3984529|title= Ongehoord Nederland: doel van 50.000 leden behaald|trans-title=Ongehoord Nederland: Goal of 50,000 members achieved|work=NRC|access-date=27 February 2025|language=nl|first=Dylan|last=Metselaar|date=20 December 2019}}
To join the Dutch public broadcasting system, ON needed to gain 50,000 members by 1 January 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/11/26/omroep-voor-impopulaire-ideeen-a3981770|title=Ongehoord Nederland: omroep voor 'impopulaire ideeën'|first1=Bart|last1=Hinke|first2=Wilmer|last2=Heck|work=NRC|language=nl|access-date=27 February 2025|date=26 November 2019}} They achieved this goal in mid-December. This milestone would have allowed them to enter the system in January 2021, but the ongoing concession was extended by a year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/35268_verlenging_van_de_lopende|title=Verlenging van de lopende concessie en erkenningen van de landelijke publieke mediadienst met een jaar }} The Council for Culture, the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep, and the Dutch Media Authority all provided positive advice, despite strong objections. Concerns were raised that ON might use public funds to undermine the credibility of the NPO and the NOS. In July 2021, minister Arie Slob granted ON permission to enter as an aspirant broadcaster starting 1 January 2022 for a five-year period.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/07/08/minister-slob-laat-on-en-zwart-toe-tot-bestel-ondanks-flinke-bezwaren-a4050345|title=Minister Slob laat ON! en Zwart toe tot bestel, ondanks flinke bezwaren|first=Lineke|last=Nieber|access-date=27 February 2025|language=nl|work=NRC|date=8 July 2021}}
= Fines (2022–2023) =
Shortly after launching, ON sparked controversy. The public broadcasting system's ombudsman determined that ON had violated the journalistic code within its first three months. Among the reasons cited was the insufficient rebuttal provided by journalists to their guests.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/06/07/zorgen-bij-de-npo-over-ongehoord-nederland-na-duidelijk-oordeel-ombudsman-a4132734|title=NPO-ombudsman over Ongehoord Nederland: wie journalist is, is géén doorgeefluik|work=NRC|date=7 June 2022|access-date=28 February 2025|language=nl|first=Bart|last=Hinke}} This included promoting conspiracy theories such as Omvolking{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2022/05/29/omvolking-op-de-npo-het-zat-eraan-te-komen-a4129423|title='Omvolking' op de NPO, het zat eraan te komen|first=Bart|last=Hinke|date=29 May 2022|access-date=28 February 2025|language=nl|work=NRC}} and the claim that the West provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Following the ombudsman's conclusion, the NPO fined ON 2.5% of their 3.6 million budget.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/04/24/hoe-arnold-karskens-de-npo-tot-het-uiterste-drijft-a4162928|title=Hoe Arnold Karskens de NPO tot het uiterste dreef|first=Bart|last=Hinke|work=NRC|language=nl|access-date=28 February 2025|date=24 April 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2432802-npo-wil-ongehoord-nederland-boete-opleggen-na-rapport-ombudsman|title=NPO wil Ongehoord Nederland boete opleggen na rapport ombudsman|work=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|access-date=28 February 2025|date=15 June 2022|quote=ON! krijgt jaarlijks 3,6 miljoen euro budget}}
In September 2022, another significant incident occurred when Ongehoord Nieuws aired a clip alleging a racist incident where "whites are being beaten up by niggers." However, Pointer, an investigative journalism platform by KRO-NCRV, found no evidence supporting an anti-white motive for the violence. The other public broadcasters condemned ON's reporting, with the KRO-NCRV director even calling for ON's removal as a public broadcaster. The NPO subsequently fined ON for this incident.
In January 2023, the NPO announced a third fine after the ombudsman determined that the second season of Ongehoord Nieuws had again violated the journalistic code.{{Cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2461967-npo-wil-omroep-ongehoord-nederland-voor-derde-keer-beboeten|title=NPO wil omroep Ongehoord Nederland voor derde keer beboeten|date=31 January 2023|work=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|access-date=28 February 2025|language=nl}} This was followed in April 2023 by an NPO request to the state secretary to remove ON from the public broadcasting system. However, in November 2023, state secretary Gunay Uslu announced that there were insufficient legal grounds for such a far-reaching decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/11/27/ongehoord-nederland-mag-blijven-uitzenden-staatssecretaris-uslu-trekt-vergunning-niet-in-a4182417|title=Ongehoord Nederland mag blijven uitzenden, staatssecretaris Uslu trekt vergunning niet in|first1=Tjarda van der|last1=Spek|first2=Bart|last2=Hinke|language=nl|work=NRC|date=27 November 2023 }} The NPO later retracted the last two fines to give the broadcaster space "to meet the requirements set for all public broadcasters."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/03/28/npo-trekt-twee-boetes-in-die-waren-opgelegd-aan-ongehoord-nederland-a4194543|title=NPO trekt twee boetes in die waren opgelegd aan Ongehoord Nederland|first=Boris van der|last=Spek|work=NRC|language=nl|date=28 March 2024|access-date=28 February 2025}}
= Internal crisis =
An internal crisis erupted during 2024. Ongehoord Nieuws presenter {{ill|Raisa Blommestijn|nl}} left in January 2025, after she was asked by Karskens to moderate her tone on social media. A few months earlier, she had made offensive remarks on X about someone's race, for which she was later convicted. Around the same time, five complaints were filed against media director {{ill|Peter Vlemmix|nl}}, but after talks with employees, Vlemmix cleared the air. Karskens, meanwhile, attempted to dismiss a freelance employee he deemed antisemitic. However, this action was thwarted by his fellow board members, Vlemmix and Nienke van Herksen.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/02/09/coup-of-angstcultuur-hoe-omroepbaas-arnold-karskens-werd-weggestuurd-bij-ongehoord-nederland-a4882512|title= Coup of angstcultuur? Hoe omroepbaas Arnold Karskens werd weggestuurd bij Ongehoord Nederland |work=NRC|date=9 February 2025|access-date=28 February 2025|first1=Bart|last1=Hinke|first2=Ignace|last2=Schoot|first3=Bram|last3=Endedijk|language=nl|trans-title=Coup or fear culture? How broadcasting boss Arnold Karskens was fired at Ongehoord Nederland}}
In July, while Karskens was absent, Blommestijn approached Vlemmix and Van Herksen to accuse Karskens of humiliations and insults. A week later, an anonymous letter was circulated, alleging that Karskens fostered a toxic culture and suppressed criticism of the Schoof cabinet, which had recently been formed. Although the supervisory board claimed that Blommestijn was not the author, attributing the letter to 14 other current and former employees, Karskens, Herskens, and other employees recognized Blommestijn's style in the text. A subsequent letter from employees opposing the first letter was disregarded by the supervisory board. Instead, Karskens was suspended and later dismissed and expelled. Blommestijn was allowed to return.
Replacing Karskens as editor-in-chief in early 2025 was co-founder Niemöller, who had left the broadcaster early on because he thought Karsken was too restrictive on such topics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2025/02/15/verspreider-van-tegenpropaganda-joost-niemoller-wordt-hoofdredacteur-ongehoord-nederland-a4883191|title= Verspreider van 'tegenpropaganda' Joost Niemöller wordt hoofdredacteur Ongehoord Nederland |first=Bart|last=Hinke|work=NRC|date=15 February 2025|access-date=1 March 2025|language=nl}} His appointment caused a lot of commotion because he had advocated for mandatory vaccination during the COVID crisis. Members, including Gideon van Meijeren and two of the three members of the supervisory board, left.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/show/chaos-ongehoord-nl-compleet-voorzitter-geschorst-duizenden-leden-weg~a0c1766b/|title=Chaos Ongehoord NL compleet: 'Voorzitter geschorst, duizenden leden weg'|first=Sebastiaan|last=Quekel|date=25 February 2025|access-date=1 March 2025|language=nl|work=Algemeen Dagblad|trans-title=Chaos Ongehoord NL complete: 'Chairman suspended, thousands of members gone.}}
Personnel
= Editor-in-chief =
- Arnold Karskens (–2024)
- Joost Niemöller (2025–present)
= Board =
Past members of ON's board included:
- Harm Beertema (2024, ad interim{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/ongehoord-nederland-kiest-ex-pvv-er-beertema-als-interim-voorzitter~b0646a8d/|title=Ongehoord Nederland kiest ex-PVV'er Beertema als interim-voorzitter|first=Peter van|last=Ammelrooy|date=5 August 2024|access-date=28 February 2025|work=de Volkskrant|language=nl}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraaf.nl/entertainment/130998490/ongehoord-nederland-gaf-oud-kamerlid-pvv-harm-beertema-75-000-euro-mee-na-nog-geen-vier-maanden-werk|title=Ongehoord Nederland gaf oud-Kamerlid PVV Harm Beertema 75.000 euro mee na nog geen vier maanden werk|work=De Telegraaf|date=1 May 2025|access-date=1 May 2025|language=nl|first=Pepijn van den|last=Brink}})
- Reinette Klever (2020–2024)
- {{ill|Peter Vlemmix|nl}} (2019–present, since 2024 as CEO{{Cite web|url=https://ongehoordnederland.tv/243783/persberichten/raad-van-toezicht-stelt-nieuw-directieteam-ongehoord-nederland-aan/|title=Raad van Toezicht stelt nieuw directieteam Ongehoord Nederland aan|date=9 December 2024|language=nl}})
= Controversies =
Over the years, several prominent members of ON left because of controversies. Co-founder Van der Heyden left in December 2019, after he had stated in an interview that ON would be open to all opinions, including defending pedosexuality or denying the Holocaust.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2019/12/04/initiatiefnemer-ongehoord-nederland-weg-bij-omroep-a3982598|title= Initiatiefnemer Ongehoord Nederland verlaat de omroep|trans-title=Initiator of Ongehoord Nederland leaves the broadcaster|first=David van|last=Unen|access-date=27 February 2025|date=4 December 2019|language=nl|work=NRC}} Chair of ON's supervisory board, Taco Dankers, left in November 2021 after NRC had revealed antisemitic statements made by him and a foundation led by him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/11/02/bij-taco-dankers-van-omroep-on-hebben-de-joden-het-vaak-gedaan-a4064078|title=Het machtigste lid van omroep ON verspreidt 'pure haat' tegen Joden|trans-title=The most powerful member of broadcaster ON spreads 'pure hatred' against Jews|first1=Bart|last1=Hinke|access-date=27 February 2025|date=2 November 2021|first2=Wilmer|last2=Heck|language=nl|work=NRC}}{{Cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2404212-toezichthouder-omroep-on-per-direct-weg-na-ophef-over-antisemitische-uitingen|title=Toezichthouder omroep ON per direct weg na ophef over antisemitische uitingen|trans-title=Broadcasting regulator ON steps down immediately following uproar over anti-Semitic remarks|work=NOS|date=3 November 2021|language=nl}} His successor, Gert Jan Mulder, left in November 2024 after de Volkskrant revealed discriminatory statements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/de-onzichtbare-godfather-van-radicaal-rechts-nederland-gert-jan-mulder~bd90c6d5|title=Gert Jan Mulder, de onzichtbare godfather van radicaal-rechts Nederland|trans-title=Gert Jan Mulder, the invisible godfather of far-right Netherlands|work=de Volkskrant|language=nl|date=1 November 2024|access-date=28 February 2025|first=Robert van de|last=Griend}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2024/11/02/gert-jan-mulder-vertrekt-bij-ongehoord-nederland-na-commotie-om-discriminerende-uitspraken-a4871615|title= Gert Jan Mulder vertrekt bij Ongehoord Nederland na commotie om discriminerende uitspraken|trans-title=Gert Jan Mulder leaves Ongehoord Nederland after controversy over discriminatory remarks|first=Joep de|last=Groot|work=NRC|language=nl|date=2 November 2024|access-date=28 February 2025}} Member of the supervisory board Rob Legeland resigned as well in November 2024, after de Volkskrant revealed discriminatory and racist statements.{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/cultuur-media/ook-rvt-lid-rob-legeland-opgestapt-bij-ongehoord-nederland~b15cf257/|title=Ook RvT-lid Rob Legeland opgestapt bij Ongehoord Nederland|trans-title=Member of the supervisory board Rob Legeland has also resigned from Ongehoord Nederland|work=de Volkskrant|access-date=28 February 2025|date=27 November 2024|first=Robert van de|last=Griend|language=nl}}
Programmes
In 2020 and 2021, ON created their own Black Pete show, after the Sinterklaasjournaal had stopped using Black Pete. Because they were not yet a public broadcaster, they broadcast the show on YouTube and their own website.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/10/15/ongehoord-nederland-komt-met-eigen-zwarte-pietenjournaal-a4016145|title=Ongehoord Nederland komt met eigen Zwarte Pietenjournaal|work=NRC|language=nl|first=Wilfred|last=Takken|access-date=27 February 2025|date=15 October 2020|trans-title=Ongehoord Nederland comes with its own Black Pete Journal.}} The programma was not allowed on television after they were allowed as public broadcaster.
In February 2022, the aspirant broadcaster started with its first television programme {{lang|nl|Ongehoord Nieuws|italics=yes}}, twice a week around lunch time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/show/eerste-tv-uitzending-ongehoord-nederland-meteen-onderbroken-door-huldiging-olympiers~ad8fdedd|title=Eerste tv-uitzending Ongehoord Nederland meteen onderbroken door huldiging olympiërs|trans-title=First TV broadcast of 'Ongehoord Nederland' immediately interrupted by tribute to Olympians|first=Marlies van|last=Leeuwen|work=AD|language=nl|date=21 February 2022|access-date=27 February 2025}} It started out categorised as news program, but was changed to opinion program in August 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/ongehoord-nieuws-voortaan-opinieprogramma-in-plaats-van-actualiteitenrubriek~b0f19947/|title=Ongehoord Nieuws voortaan 'opinieprogramma' in plaats van actualiteitenrubriek|trans-title=Ongehoord Nederland now an 'opinion program' instead of a current affairs show|first=Nick de|last=Jager|work=de Volkskrant|date=16 August 2022|access-date=28 February 2025|language=nl}} Presenters of the show include {{ill|Raisa Blommestijn|nl}} (2023–2024, 2024–present) and {{ill|Arlette Adriani|nl}}.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category inline}}
- {{Official website|www.ongehoordnederland.nl}} {{in lang|nl}}
{{NPO}}
{{European Broadcasting Union Members}}
Category:Dutch public broadcasting organisations
Category:Netherlands Public Broadcasting
Category:Dutch-language television networks
Category:Television channels and stations established in 2019