PowNed violated journalism code by degrading Taylor Swift fans: Broadcasting ombudsman

The ombudsman for the NPO public broadcasting system said broadcaster PowNed broke the journalistic code with their controversial video meant to mock and sexually embarass Taylor Swift's fans. PowNed published a video last week called "Gillende meisjes worden sletjes voor Taylor Swift," which translates as "Screaming girls turn into sluts for Taylor Swift." The video consisted of the presenter urging fans to do "crazy things" in exchange for an opportunity to meet the famous singer.

One fan showed her breasts on camera, and another made out with a stranger outside the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, where Swift performed three concerts. The meeting with the singer turned out to never have been organized. After heavy criticism, PowNed took the item down and recognized that they had crossed a boundary.

According to the ombudsman, the reporters making false statements to manipulate the interviewees was a violation of journalistic rules. The code states that broadcasters must act "with an open mind" and must be "clear to interlocutors about their intentions and the nature of the publication."

The ombudsman added that the video clearly shows misdirection. "The reporter was not honest about what he was doing there. If he had been honest, I am sure he would not have gotten the same results."

Over 300 complaints have been made to the ombudsman, some coming after the video had already been taken offline. The makers of the video have gotten away with their wrongdoing too easily, according to the ombudsman, who thinks that PowNed should "reflect more extensively on what exactly went wrong here and to come back to it publicly."

PowNed broadcast director Dominique Weesje told the ombudsman that "many mistakes" were made while making the video. "This should never have happened and has absolutely nothing to do with journalism. It was not only a tasteless item, but worse yet, it was completely disrespectful to women in general," Weesie added.

Frederieke Leeflang, chair of the Board of Directors of the NPO, said that it is good that the ombudsman made a decision quickly and thoroughly. "Luckily, PowNed recognizes that this should never have happened and our Journalistic Code was not complied with and promised to take measures to never repeat this. It was disrespectful to women and does not fit into what we should stand for as a public broadcaster. It is important that it was taken down, that measures are taken for the future, and that personal apologies are made."