Netherlands: Two Journalists Detained And Fined While Reporting Climate Change Protest – CFWIJ Calls For Fines To Be Dismissed
Location: Netherlands, The Hague
Date: February 10, 2023
Photo Credit: Renate Beense
Dutch journalists Sara Berkeljon and Renate Beense were detained while reporting a climate change protest despite wearing press jackets and identifying themselves as journalists. They were later fined by police. The Coalition For Women In Journalism calls on Dutch police to dismiss these fines immediately. Journalists should be free to cover protests and matters of public interest without police interference.
On January 21 journalist Sara Berkeljon and photographer Renate Beense were reporting on climate change protestors preparing to block the A12 motorway in the Hague. The journalists were following activists of the Dutch Extinction Rebellion group for a feature in de Volkskrant magazine. Police disrupted the protest and detained the journalists along with protestors.
They both identified themselves as members of the press to police. Berkeljon writes, “I point to the fluorescent vests of me and the photographer and ask if it makes any difference that we are here as journalists,” and the agent replied, “Not right now, no.”
The journalists were taken to Overbosch police station with activists. According to Berkeljon, they waited in the police van at the station for about half an hour and were given no reason for why they were detained. Activists told her, “that there are still two journalists in the back is strange. They should have just left you out, you did your job.”
After a brief detention, the police told Berkeljon, and Beense, “you get a fine.” A few weeks later, they received “a fine of 129 euros" which "was imposed for 'using the motorway other than with a motor vehicle that can/is allowed to exceed 60 km/h'.” De Volkskrant has objected to the fines and will attempt to appeal.
According to CPJ, in a separate incident on January 28, Jesper Peeters, a Dutch freelance photojournalist, was approached by police while photographing climate activists occupying the A12 Highway.
Protests and demonstrations are of public interest, journalists have a duty to report and should not be stopped from doing so. We support de Volkskrant’s decision to appeal these charges. Dutch authorities should dismiss these fines immediately.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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