‘Raisa Blommestijn cannot simply say whatever she wants as a journalist’

Racist statements by Raisa Blommestijn, a video of a Palestinian civilian, or critical articles in The Guardian. ‘How do we determine what counts as journalism and what does not?’ This question is posed by Ruben den Boer, a former research master’s student in Linguistics and Communication Sciences, in his thesis.

What is your thesis about?

‘How do we determine what counts as journalism and what does not? That question is central to my thesis, and while it seems simple, it becomes more complex the deeper you delve into it. To explore this, I focus on Ongehoord Nederland, a relatively new broadcaster that has been part of the Dutch public broadcasting system (NPO) since January 2022.

‘This broadcaster, which leans to the right of the political spectrum, distinguishes itself through sharp criticism of mainstream media—traditional TV channels, newspapers, and radio—which they label as corrupt. They position themselves as an alternative medium that does things the right way.

‘What makes Ongehoord Nederland particularly interesting is their paradoxical position: they distance themselves from the mainstream media while simultaneously operating within the NPO system. This raises the pressing question: is Ongehoord Nederland journalism or not? The answer to this question is crucial because it influences how we define journalism and how mainstream media and politics relate to this medium.

‘Given that the NPO is government-funded, and therefore indirectly tied to politics, the debate about what does or does not qualify as journalism becomes even more complicated.’

What were the findings of your research?

‘The arrival of Ongehoord Nederland was perceived as a moment of crisis by various actors, including political parties and mainstream media. Such a crisis often points to a fundamental change or deviation from the norm. Implicit standards, such as what we consider good journalism, suddenly become explicit. We now want clear answers about why something is or is not acceptable.

‘Even after its launch, Ongehoord Nederland continues to provoke moments of crisis. One example is the controversial broadcast of Ongehoord Nieuws, in which presenter Raisa Blommestijn used the N-word and showed footage of violence. The broadcast suggested that Black people were intentionally attacking White people, leading to a crisis because the language and imagery used violated the norms of the NPO.

‘Later, it became evident that Ongehoord Nieuws had failed to provide the correct context for the footage. This forced the mainstream media to take a clear stance: ‘This is not journalism; this is where we draw the line.’ Ongehoord Nederland responded by saying: ‘At least we dare to say what you are trying to censor.’

‘Other actors, such as political parties, also used the crisis to highlight their own norms and values. GroenLinks criticized Ongehoord Nieuws not only for its poor journalism but also used the situation to reaffirm their support for anti-racism and strong democratic institutions. On the right side of the spectrum, parties like FVD and PVV focused instead on defending freedom of speech.’

Last weekend, presenter Raisa Blommestijn was sentenced to 80 hours of community service for group insult and defamation. What does this mean for her position and responsibility as a journalist?

‘The conviction of Blommestijn highlights the downside of Ongehoord Nederland’s NPO membership. While the membership provides the broadcaster with significant reach and legitimacy, it also places them under intense scrutiny. As a result, their words and actions carry much more weight. Presenters cannot simply say whatever they want, unlike in the more obscure corners of the internet where alternative media speak freely.

‘In this case, the court acts as an important voice in the public debate and draws a clear line: this is not how a journalist should behave. Blommestijn’s response – ‘Today is a dark day for democracy, the rule of law, and freedom of expression’ – aligns seamlessly with the findings in my thesis.

‘She uses this moment of crisis to position herself as a champion of free speech, someone who dares to say what mainstream journalists are too afraid to express. This will undoubtedly earn her additional credibility among certain audiences who view her as a ’true’ journalist.’

Can you provide a definition of journalism based on your research?

‘There is ongoing debate about what exactly journalism entails. While there are certain norms and values, there is still room for debate within those boundaries about which aspects are more important. That may make it an unsatisfactory answer, but my research shows how difficult it is nowadays to definitively determine whether someone is a journalist or not.

‘It is therefore more important to look at what journalists, or those who present themselves as journalists, actually do. In my thesis, I use the example of a Palestinian civilian who shares videos of what is happening in the Gaza Strip. Is this person a journalist, or just someone sharing a video on Instagram? To be honest, I would say that person is not a journalist, but the act of making that video is journalistic.’

Why is your research socially relevant?

‘My research challenges people to look beyond traditional notions of journalism. In the past, it was more obvious to trust certain institutions like newspapers. But today, it’s essential to be more critical of the information we consume.

‘In a world where information is available everywhere, it’s about the meaning attached to it. This is where the core of the journalistic role lies: journalists determine what is important and help us understand what that information means for us.

‘Suppose inflation is rising. In theory, anyone can consult the financial analyses in a government report. But journalists have the task of explaining: ‘This is what is happening, this is what it means for you, and these are the causes and consequences.’ That is the essence of journalism: giving meaning.’

_Advertentie.