Netherlands: Press Council rules debate did not link Islam and trouble-youth
The debate topic: "Islam is threat to Dutch society"A complaint by the SMN (Association of Moroccan-Dutch People) against TV program EenVandaag was rejected by the Dutch Press Council. The SMN said that EenVandaag was wrong to link between the behavior of Moroccan problem youth and Islam.
Before the March municipal elections, EenVandaag organized a debate where Geert Wilders (PVV) and Wouter Bos (PvdA) discussed safety, crime and integration. The debate was introduced with a clip which spoke about Moroccan-Dutch youth troublemakers. The voice-over asked why some of them misbehave so much, asking "What is clashing here? Is it the background, the culture or the religion?" During the clip Wilders was shown making a comment about an 'Islamic intifada'. The statement which the two politicians debated was "Islam is a threat for Dutch society".
The SMN says that the actuality show shouldn't have linked between images of Moroccan youth and the debate about Islam. The link had no foundation and was suggestive. It's biased reporting which puts Muslims and Islam in a negative light.
EenVandaag objected and said that the program had made no connection between problem youth and Islam, and that it was clear in the clip that it was Wilders' opinion. The Press Council agreed.
SMN chairman Farid Azarkan said Friday that he saw the case differently than the Council, but would respect their decision.
Before the March municipal elections, EenVandaag organized a debate where Geert Wilders (PVV) and Wouter Bos (PvdA) discussed safety, crime and integration. The debate was introduced with a clip which spoke about Moroccan-Dutch youth troublemakers. The voice-over asked why some of them misbehave so much, asking "What is clashing here? Is it the background, the culture or the religion?" During the clip Wilders was shown making a comment about an 'Islamic intifada'. The statement which the two politicians debated was "Islam is a threat for Dutch society".
The SMN says that the actuality show shouldn't have linked between images of Moroccan youth and the debate about Islam. The link had no foundation and was suggestive. It's biased reporting which puts Muslims and Islam in a negative light.
EenVandaag objected and said that the program had made no connection between problem youth and Islam, and that it was clear in the clip that it was Wilders' opinion. The Press Council agreed.
SMN chairman Farid Azarkan said Friday that he saw the case differently than the Council, but would respect their decision.
Sources: Telegraaf, EenVandaag (Dutch)
