Alt-right broadcaster criticized again for featuring blackface Zwarte Piet characters
The Dutch Public Broadcasting Foundation (NPO) has again reprimanded broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland (ON!) for violating its Sinterklaas programming policy by featuring blackface characters during a live broadcast.
The incident occurred Thursday during an episode of Ongehoord Nieuws, where several studio guests were dressed as Zwarte Piet, a traditional but controversial Sinterklaas character depicted in blackface. Since 2019, the NPO has adhered to a strict policy allowing only "soot-smudge" Piets—characters with smudged makeup to represent chimney soot—in its programming.
A spokesperson for the NPO confirmed the reprimand, emphasizing the organization’s ongoing commitment to its policy.
"The NPO does not interfere with the editorial content of individual programs and respects the independence of affiliated broadcasters," the spokesperson said. "However, we have consistently stated that there is no place for blackface characters on the public broadcaster. This policy was adopted after a deliberate decision in collaboration with the NTR to present a Sinterklaas program without Zwarte Piet."
The NPO plans to reiterate this policy to ON!, the spokesperson added.
This is not the first time ON! has drawn criticism for ignoring the NPO’s guidelines. Earlier this year, the NPO rejected a proposed ON! program centered around Zwarte Piet, citing its policy. Despite the rejection, ON! proceeded with programming that featured the character during its Thursday broadcast.
In a statement, the NPO underscored its longstanding approach to the issue: "We have communicated this policy clearly over the years and will again remind ON! of the expectations."
The portrayal of Zwarte Piet has been a contentious issue in the Netherlands for years. While some defend the character as part of a long-standing tradition, others criticize it as a racist caricature. In 2019, the NPO formally aligned its programming with a growing societal shift against the use of blackface, introducing soot-smudge Piets to replace the traditional depiction.
ON! has not publicly responded to the latest reprimand. It remains unclear whether the broadcaster will face further consequences for repeated violations of the Sinterklaas programming guidelines.
