Threats, violence, and intimidation: 262 incidents reported against journalists in 2025

For the third consecutive year, journalists have filed more incident reports while on the job. PersVeilig received 262 reports last year, up from 249 in 2024.

PersVeilig notes that the increase is notable, as there were far fewer violent demonstrations in 2025 than in the previous year, when riots broke out at several universities during pro-Palestinian protests. Back then, reports of threats or violence against journalists were significantly higher than in 2023, 249 compared with 218. The organization suggests that the recent rise may reflect more journalists coming forward to report incidents.

According to PersVeilig, both the intensity and focus of aggression against journalists are rising. Reporters are now more often deliberately targeted and physically assaulted, rather than merely encountering a hostile atmosphere by accident.

In addition to physical violence on the streets, PersVeilig saw a sharp increase in online threats and doxing (the public sharing of private information) against journalists in 2025. Throughout 2025, multiple incidents of aggression toward local journalists were reported during tense municipal council meetings on asylum and housing issues.

“The number of reports in 2025 is nearing the grim record of 2021, when 272 incidents were recorded amid curfew riots and other Covid-related protests. In my view, 2025’s low point was the far-right anti-immigration demonstration at the Malieveld,” says Peter ter Velde, program manager at PersVeilig. Seven photographers and cameramen were injured during the protest, two requiring hospital treatment. “It was a truly dark day for journalism.”

While incidents after demonstrations decreased, reports at festivals and sports events rose. PersVeilig received 13 such reports in 2025, up from just 2 in 2024. Events surrounding Vitesse, in particular, triggered multiple reports of fan-related violence.

The majority of incidents reported last year were threats (106), discrimination or intimidation (67), and physical assaults (55).