Journalists Matter, Council of Europe Campaign for the Safety of Journalists
The Council of Europe encourages member states to transpose the Campaign to the national context. Without each member’s committed and effective effort at national level, through the development of the so-called ‘national chapter’, the Campaign cannot reach its goals.
In this section, we will present developments in the Netherlands:
National Focal Points
Ms Charlotte WOLFF, Journalism Team Coordinator, Media department, Ministry of Education Culture and Science Mr Arne BAKKER, Policy advisor, Media department, Ministry of Education Culture and Science
National Campaign Committee
In the Netherlands, the establishment of a new committee has not been deemed necessary; instead, operations are conducted through preexisting partnerships. The foundation of this approach lies in the collaborative efforts between PersVeilig and the focal point. Regular consultations are held to ensure ongoing communication and information exchange regarding developments, encompassing actions undertaken by PersVeilig and initiatives by relevant ministries.
The coordination with law enforcement and the Public Prosecution Service is facilitated through the PersVeilig steering committee. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, functioning as the focal point for the campaign, collaborates with various governmental departments. These collaborative efforts extend to matters concerning the safety of journalists (Ministry of Justice), combatting disinformation (Ministry of Internal Affairs), addressing the role of online platforms (Ministry of Economic Affairs), and addressing international safety concerns for journalists (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
Furthermore, the focal point and PersVeilig routinely organize consultations with other pertinent stakeholders, including the NDP, the representative organization for publishers, and Free Press Unlimited. Close engagement is also maintained with the NVJ, the Dutch journalists' association, to ensure comprehensive engagement and support within the journalistic community.
2025 update
The Netherlands continued to strengthen its institutional framework for the safety of journalists through the further development of PersVeilig, the national mechanism supporting journalists facing threats, harassment and intimidation. Following an independent evaluation commissioned by the Ministries of Education, Culture and Science and of Justice and Security, PersVeilig transitioned in 2025 from a project-based initiative into an independent foundation with a dedicated board representing the media sector. The existing steering committee, composed of representatives of the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ), the Society of Chief Editors, the police and the Public Prosecution Service, continues to oversee the strategic direction and substantive work of the initiative.
Emerging threats to journalists remain a key focus. PersVeilig reported increasing demand for specialised training on online harassment, resilience and safety during protests, reflecting concerns about hostility towards journalists covering demonstrations and public events. In parallel, the organisation strengthened its work on gender-based threats and support mechanisms for women journalists.
Looking ahead, PersVeilig plans to conduct dedicated research on legal pressure and potential SLAPP cases in 2026, while further expanding initiatives aimed at supporting women journalists and strengthening newsroom safety policies.
PersVeilig continued its outreach to future generations of journalists through safety training delivered at colleges and universities. In cooperation with one of the country's...
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: Persveilig- PersVeilig is the initiative of the Steering Group on Aggression and Violence against Journalists, consisting of the police, the Public Prosecution...
The Netherlands, National chapter
