DPG Media tightens security after "disturbed" man damages Duivendrecht headquarters
Security has been increased at all Dutch and Belgian locations of DPG Media, one of Europe’s largest media companies, after a man described as “disturbed,” who said he wanted to express “his dissatisfaction with media coverage,” caused damage and unrest at the company’s Mediavaert building in Duivendrecht near Amsterdam on Friday.
The incident occurred at the Mediavaert complex on Van der Madeweg, where several major Dutch media outlets operate, including NU.nl, Trouw, de Volkskrant, and radio stations JOE and Qmusic. Police arrested the suspect, who remains in custody. The case has been transferred to an examining magistrate.
According to the company, the man entered the reception area and caused “unrest and damage.” He did not direct his anger at any specific person or at any particular DPG Media outlet, Villamedia reports.
DPG Media said the event was isolated and not part of a broader threat but had a significant impact on people inside the building.
“The person has been arrested by the police, remains in custody, and the case has been transferred to the examining magistrate. We want to emphasize that this concerns an isolated incident involving one individual and that it is not part of a broader threat,” the company said in an email to employees. “However, the way in which this happened has had a major impact on those present and on the sense of security in the building.”
Following the disturbance, DPG Media introduced additional security measures at all of its sites in the Netherlands and Belgium. Exterior doors will now remain closed by default. Visitors must request access through an intercom before entering, and employees will be able to enter only by using their staff passes.
“The steps we are taking now are driven by the reality that a completely open entrance hall makes us vulnerable,” a company spokesperson told Villamedia.
The company further stated that they will gradually implement both visible and non-visible changes in all locations as part of the strengthened security measures. DPG Media also stressed that the measures are not the result of a current threat but part of ongoing security improvements.
“In addition to these immediate adjustments, we are further tightening our broader security policy — visibly and invisibly,” DPG Media said. “Because not everything can be realized from one day to the next, we view this as an ongoing process in which we will, of course, also include all our other regional locations. This requires tailor-made solutions.”
