THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The top editor of the Dutch national broadcaster’s sports division has resigned amid reports of misconduct and a culture of bullying among staff over the past two decades, the broadcaster said Monday.
The move follows a report last week by outside experts called on to look into NOS Sport’s conduct as part of a wider inquiry into the public broadcasting network, following another high-profile case last year. Allegations of workplace bullying on a flagship late-night talk show.
“The list report contains over 20 years of reports of bullying, (sexual) intimidation, discrimination, verbal assault and integrity issues,” the NOS said in its initial response last week.
At the time, the broadcaster said the editorial leadership of the sports division would step down at a specific date in the future. But after Dutch media reported working conditions at NOS Sport at the weekend, four senior editors said they would resign with immediate effect.
NOS general manager Gerard Timmer said in a statement on Monday: “As a result of our discussions over the past few days regarding the outcome of the stocktake, the previously announced phased withdrawal has been accelerated. We will be looking at the sports sector in the short and future needs. “
Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant reported in its weekend edition that it spoke to 32 people, including current and former NOS Sport staff, and found a “feeling unsafe in women and not taking (sexual) assault seriously”. culture of reporting.”
NOS Sport is the country’s main sports broadcaster, covering major international events including the Olympics and the Football World Cup.
The NPO, the umbrella organization for the Dutch public broadcaster, said it supported the NOS Sport leader’s decision to step down.
“There should be no breaches on public broadcasting,” the NPO said in a statement. “It is vital that everyone feels supported to not accept and correct misconduct in the workplace, and that everyone feels safe enough to You can say it out loud.”
The independent inquiry was formed last year following incidents of bullying on De Wereld Draait Door – The World Keeps Turning – a popular talk show that ran for years on the public broadcasting network. The committee aims to release a final report by the summer.
