The Van Rijn Commission has investigated misconduct on the work floor at the program ‘De wereld draait door,’ which was hosted by Dutch presenter Matthijs van Nieuwkerk for fifteen years. The committee found that more than 1,484 employees had experienced inappropriate behavior in the past year, with three out of four respondents reporting being targeted or witnessing such behavior.
Due to this report, Van Nieuwkerk and commercial broadcaster RTL have suspended their previously announced collaboration indefinitely. Van Nieuwkerk had signed a contract with RTL to produce television together for four years, but the investigation revealed a serious and widespread issue of inappropriate behavior and intimidation at the Dutch Public Broadcasting (NPO). As a result, the collaboration has been terminated.
Van Nieuwkerk expressed a preference for freedom and RTL respected his decision given the circumstances. Although he was set to host a talk show on Sundays at RTL and was also being considered for a program about the Olympic Games from Paris, he will no longer be working with the broadcaster due to the suspension of their collaboration. The channel wished him success for the future in light of the situation.
