WNL Recruits Members at VVD Congress, NVJ Condemns Action
Nieuwegein, maandag, 16 juni 2025.
During the VVD congress in Nieuwegein last Saturday, representatives from broadcaster WNL were seen with press badges while recruiting members. The Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) has strongly condemned this action, as it blurs the line between journalism and politics. However, WNL sees no objections and states that member recruitment is separate from their journalistic work. The broadcaster was not invited by the VVD but attended on its own initiative.
WNL Staff Recruit Members at VVD Congress
During the VVD congress in Nieuwegein last Saturday, representatives from broadcaster WNL were seen with press badges while recruiting members. This action has been strongly condemned by the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ), as it blurs the line between journalism and politics. According to the NVJ, this is a violation of journalistic integrity and neutrality [1][2][3].
NVJ’s Response
Thomas Bruning, general secretary of the NVJ, expressed his dissatisfaction on Bluesky. He openly questioned whether WNL could stop such actions. ‘I defend the importance of a strong, journalistically independent public broadcaster. This is entirely contrary to that,’ said Bruning [1][2].
WNL’s Position
However, WNL sees no objections to their presence at the congress. The broadcaster states that member recruitment is separate from their journalistic work. ‘Recruiting members for our existence is separate from our journalistic work. We often attend events where we can find our liberal-conservative base. An external agency goes there, they are not journalists,’ WNL stated to news agency ANP [1][2][3].
Context of the Action
WNL’s action at the VVD congress coincides with the recent appointment of Kees Berghuis, former VVD spin doctor, as the new chief editor of the broadcaster. This appointment has already drawn criticism due to potential loss of independence [1][2][4].
Reactions from Other Media
Other media and opinion makers have also commented on WNL’s action. Roel Maalderink, known from the satirical programme Plakshot, shared a video in which he wondered if it was the role of the press to distribute chocolate at a political congress [1][2][5].