Bolkestein Criticises Dutch Journalism as Sentimental
THE HAGUE, 11/04/12 - Dutch journalism is leftwing. Journalists embrace everything that is week and fail to see in capitalism the only workable system, says former conservative (VVD) leader Frits Bolkestein in an opinion article in De Volkskrant.
"Why do the overwhelming majority of journalists vote left?" asked Bolkestein rhetorically. He gave the answer himself: "We are a moralising people and journalists are a reflection of this." But "moralising means exercising power via the back door. Where freedom reigns, this is impossible."
The VVD misses out on a good deal of the sympathy of journalists because it, unlike Labour (PvdA) and the Christian democrats (CDA), does not moralise. Except for in economically difficult times like the present, because the VVD is then respected by journalists because impractical idealism then as to give way to real solutions.
"In the big countries around us, the situation is different. There one does find rightwing quality newspapers: the Daily Telegraph in England, the Figaro in France, Die Welt in Germany," Bolkestein went on.
According to the former VVD leader, who is held in high regard inside and outside his party, CDA and PvdA follow the ethics of intentions. "If the intention is only good, the operation is also good." The VVD in fact follows the ethics of the consequences. "If these are good, the operation itself is also good."
The VVD approach is more businesslike and admits less emotions, declares Bolkestein. He considers this necessary because the Netherlands is a small country with a high population and communication density where everyone at every moment talks about the same thing. "Then sentimentality is dominant. We have become a feminine country."
Capitalism is not popular among journalists, but their opposition to the market is nonsensical, because the alternative is that prices are fixed by bureaucrats. "And what that leads to, we know since the fall of the Wall."
It is true that capitalism from time to time produces a crisis, like the present one, but this is largely caused by governments, says Bolkestein. "It is certainly true that some - particularly the bankers - have misbehaved. But the government has offered them the room for this. The rules must now be tightened up so that this room is restricted."
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