It is a remarkable double standard that the NRC maintains. While the newspaper likes to report critically on others, it appears to be particularly reticent when it comes to highlighting its own abuses. This is made painfully clear in the story of Pieter Kottman, former editor of NRC, and the many other editors who were forced to leave because of former editor-in-chief Peter Vandermeersch's brutal crackdown.
Kottman rightly raises the question in HP/De Tijd why the newspaper is willing to write critically about the transgressive behavior of others, but is silent about the behavior of its own editor-in-chief. He points out that the NRC states that a minister's behavior should not be taken lightly, but that this principle does not seem to apply to its own editor-in-chief. It seems that the NRC has a double standard here and is selective about highlighting wrongdoing.
It is disturbing that a newspaper that likes to present itself as a watchdog of democracy and truth shows so little transparency and self-reflection. The NRC likes to wave the biggest index finger, but seems unwilling to apply the same standards to itself. This raises questions about the paper's integrity and credibility.
Not surprisingly, JA21 MP Derk-Jan Eppink recognizes himself in Kottman's story and calls for a "Truth Commission" at the NRC. A former contributor to both NRC and De Standaard, Eppink knows Vandermeersch and describes him as both an inspiration and a temper tantrum. It's a disturbing picture of the person who headed a newspaper that pretends to be objective and critical.
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It is high time for the NRC to reach out and examine itself. If the newspaper really wants to stand for journalistic integrity and independence, it must also be willing to expose its own mistakes and abuses. The NRC cannot be allowed to assume the role of the all-knowing watchdog while covering up its own misdeeds.