Nicolaas column highlights the vicious cycle of hard work being equated with boundless work and the pervasive culture of fear that silences victims and perpetuates abuse

Location: The Netherlands, Hilversum

Date: March 19, 2024

In a candid op-ed for Vrij Nederland by Nicolaas Veul, the harsh realities of the Dutch television industry are laid bare, exposing a world where power dynamics and a cutthroat culture prevail. Veul's personal account of starting in the TV world eighteen years ago, coupled with insights from the troubling findings of the Van Rijn report, paints a stark picture of a sector rife with systemic issues. 

In January, Women Press Freedom documented over eight women journalists being systematically bullied and discriminated against at WNL, a prominent broadcaster within the Dutch public broadcasting system NPO. The allegations have brought to light significant issues within the organization, challenging the public's perception of the media landscape in The Netherlands.

Veul’s column below draws attention to the unwritten rule of "eat or be eaten" and the detrimental effects such an environment can have on individuals, particularly those new or vulnerable within the industry. Veul's reflections serve as a crucial commentary on the need for change within media organizations, highlighting the vicious cycle of hard work being equated with boundless work and the pervasive culture of fear that silences victims and perpetuates abuse. 

You can read a translated version of the article below:

"The TV World Is Ruthless. You Have to Be Able to Handle It"

"The TV world is harsh. You have to be able to handle it." It was one of the first pieces of advice I received when I started in TV eighteen years ago. I was reminded of this when I read the Van Rijn report on transgressive behavior in Hilversum.

I am 22 years old, running through the TV studio with a Coke in my hand, driven by feelings of inferiority. As a fresh editorial assistant, I must care for a well-known presenter. He wants his Coke, and now, the producer yells. I have just finished my internship, and that’s exactly how I am treated and paid. "There are a thousand others like you, Nicolaas," a supervisor once said. So run, Nicolaas. Run! Reeking of fear sweat, I look for "my" presenter before he gets too thirsty. I have to pull out all the stops to make sure he feels good. Fluffing the presenter, as it's called in unofficial jargon. Because a satisfied presenter is a gold mine for a producer.

In reality, the presenter is shorter than on TV, but his aura fills the entire room. "I have your Coke," I stammer. He says nothing. With a sigh, he snatches the bottle from my hand without really looking at me. In the brief moment, our eyes meet, I see something I'll never forget: my insignificance makes him larger. It's eat or be eaten. This serf may not address the king directly. And no supervisor says, "Be normal to this boy." This behavior is entirely normal. It's part of the show that's performed behind the scenes. Hard work equals boundless work.

"They say it toughens you up," as if I was being sent to Iraq instead of fluffing a presenter for a mediocre comedy show.

How do you reintroduce ethics at the top, where it has continually been sacrificed for ratings?

Eighteen years later, thanks to the Van Rijn report, light is shed on the toxic culture behind that statement. The existential fear of some supervisors and presenters of falling off the TV world ladder too often outweighs humanity. This fear permeates all layers and opens the door to transgressive behavior. The belief that you must be tough enough to handle anything keeps the victims silent. It implies that if something goes wrong, it's your fault. That you're too weak, that you can forget about succeeding in the TV world. Checkmate for the victims.

If you then manage to survive in this environment, you feel invincible. The shame you experienced as a foot soldier is replaced by the pride you feel as an emperor. Of course, editorial assistants carrying Coke must follow your path. After all, you also had to earn your place, right?

It's a vicious circle of harshness in the Hilversum ecosystem. TV is war, and decency is the first casualty. The Van Rijn report doesn’t reveal anything new. Power abuse is as old as the road to Rome.

But the report does make it clear that things really need to change now. Hilversum is full of generals but lacks leaders. The big question is: how do you reintroduce ethics at the top, where it has continually been sacrificed for ratings?

I, along with all the other former fluffers, can't wait.

Nicolaas Veul, born in February 1984 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a versatile Dutch program creator and presenter affiliated with VPRO, known for his innovative and socially conscious documentaries. His notable works include "Gay-K" (2012), a groundbreaking look at the challenges faced by homosexuals in Ukraine. Veul has also tackled topics such as the ongoing influence of World War II, the perceptions of the West in non-Western cultures, and the murky ethics of social media fame with "#followme" (2018).