Groen requests an independent audit after reports of ‘political interference’ at VRT

According to the newspapers, a new TV series that is in the making at VRT, ‘Knappe heads’, sings the praises of Flemish science and innovation. The program is said to have been created in consultation with the cabinet of Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA), which was also responsible for the financing. It is not the only program for which Flanders is making money available, but according to critics within the VRT, it has been pushed through in a brutal manner and a line has been crossed.

Meyrem Almaci, Flemish Member of Parliament for Green, reads in the reports that the Flemish government may influence the elaboration of programs. “First squeezing the VRT to death financially and then paying for tailor-made programs to gain insight into one’s own powers and political agenda: shameless and cynical,” she says. Groen is requesting an audit to find out whether the public broadcaster can still work independently. “Having programs drawn up to order for your own political agenda is particularly questionable.”

“With one hand, the Flemish government is squeezing the VRT to death financially, while with the other hand it generously finances programs that align with its own cabinets and ideological preferences. Save hard, and then provide additional pots of money through cabinets to exert their influence. This trend is unacceptable, the Minister of Media must speak out,” says Almaci.

She repeats her demand to reverse the savings at the VRT. “A strong, independent public broadcaster is a prerequisite for a strong democracy.”