screenpunk
I can’t say I have made up my mind about this news.
Journalists must give personal information to Geert Wilders’ PvV (Freedom Party) when they attend their press conferences – including their citizen number (BSN). The PvV says it sends that information to the secret services.
PvV’s leader Geert Wilders must be under police protection 24/7 because of death threats he has received due to his political/religious views. It is a duty of the Dutch state to protect citizens. I understand and agree with that.
But I can’t stop from feeling that this screening (considered legal by the Dutch Justice minister) somehow undermines the position of journalists. Our whole job is based on trust and everytime we’re not being trusted I can’t help feeling our position in society has never been looked down as much as it is now.
Click here for a small article in English about this story
And here is the reaction of the Dutch Journalists Union (in Dutch)
