Volt scores highest on press freedom, PVV ranks lowest

Volt scored the highest and PVV the lowest on press freedom among Dutch political parties, according to new research published Thursday by Free Press Unlimited.

The study assessed party programs, motions, and voting behavior in the Tweede Kamer. Researchers evaluated parties through a broad lens, examining their positions on combating disinformation, protecting journalists, supporting a diverse media landscape, and promoting press freedom internationally. Each party received separate scores for its written program and for its parliamentary actions.

PVV ranked last, earning a 1.9 for its party program and a 3.4 for motions and voting behavior. The VVD was described as an “interesting case,” scoring 6.3 for its program but only 5.4 for its parliamentary record—the only party with a sufficient score on one front but not the other. Volt received top marks overall, with a 9.4 for its program and 8.2 for its actions, showing slightly less consistency between words and deeds.

DENK showed the largest positive gap between statements and actions, improving from 4.7 in its program to 7.4 in practice. GroenLinks-PvdA displayed a similar trend, rising from 6.9 to 8.6 between program and voting behavior.

According to the study, nearly all parties support a secure digital environment. However, DENK, JA21, and PVV do not mention fighting disinformation in their programs. FVD and SGP question whether disinformation exists or argue that countermeasures amount to censorship or government interference.

Volt, D66, and the Party for the Animals (PvdD) were the only parties with concrete proposals to ensure journalist safety. Free Press Unlimited called this “concerning,” noting that “the safety of journalists is also deteriorating in the Netherlands.”

Volt and D66 were also the only parties to present detailed plans to defend press freedom globally. By contrast, PVV, FVD, SGP, and BBB were described as skeptical of or rejecting human rights treaties—an attitude the researchers say harms press freedom because “human rights are linked to access to reliable information.”

“It is alarming that some political parties make proposals that actively undermine press freedom, knowing that a free and safe press is the cornerstone of our democracy,” Free Press Unlimited said. “When journalists are intimidated, attacked, or restricted in their work, it affects not only the media but society as a whole.”