Gert Jan Mulder resigns from ON! after commotion over racist remarks

Gert Jan Mulder is resigning as a member of the Supervisory Board of broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland (ON!) with immediate effect. This was announced by the Supervisory Board on Saturday. Mulder decided to resign following an article in de Volkskrant about his discriminating comments on social media, including about Muslims and homosexuals.

The Supervisory Board writes on its website that it respects Mulder's decision. It is also “very grateful to him for all his contributions that have made the channel ON! a great success”. Mulder also shared a message on X in which he confirmed his departure. "Three years ago, I was begged to become a member of the board of directors of the wonderful broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland and in three years I have been able to do something and contribute, but I am no longer needed, so I am calling it a day," the message states. "The Netherlands has become a cold, nasty country and I feel very alienated from your people, your society, your culture and your mentality. Au revoir."

The publication in the Volkskrant led to many angry and outraged reactions on Friday. The Dutch Media Authority immediately asked ON! questions because “racism, anti-Semitism, and derogatory remarks about sections of the population have no place in public broadcasting”. The NPO said it was in a hurry to tighten up the code of conduct for the integrity of public broadcasting. Rabin Baldewsingh, the National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism (NCDR), described Mulder's remarks as “downright racist” and emphasized that his remarks “harm public broadcasting and the Dutch population”.

The NPO called Gert Jan Mulder's departure from the supervisory board of Ongehoord Nederland (ON!) "good for public broadcasting."

"The statements of Gert Jan Mulder, the now resigned member of the Supervisory Board of ON!, are unacceptable and contrary to the values ​​of inclusivity and equality that we as a public broadcaster stand for," according to the NPO. "It is good for the public broadcaster that Mulder has decided to resign. Racism and discrimination have no place in the public system." The NPO also stated that it will continue to work unabated on the Code of Conduct Integrity Public Broadcasting.

Minister Eppo Bruins (Education, Culture, and Science) consulted with the NPO and the Dutch Media Authority on Friday about tightening the code of conduct, he said in a statement. “We will review the content and enforcement of the code to determine if changes are necessary,” Bruins said. The minister also emphasized that high standards within public broadcasting are needed.

However, it is unclear exactly what adjustments the organizations have in mind.