“It was reported by Trouw, a reputable newspaper, and later by De Limburger. It has already become a public matter. It would be odd if we didn’t report on it.”
“But we haven’t been able to fact-check anything, or get a response from the professor involved.”
“True, but our story is this – a national newspaper has linked UM professor and paediatrician Anita Vreugdenhil to illegal activities involving the Rebels, the first team of Maastricht basketball club Kimbria. Allegedly, she illegally housed internationals in a luxury container home in her garden, among other things. The professor denies all allegations. We have asked her for a response.”
“But she was unavailable for comment, and the damage to her reputation has already been done. And Observant will be contributing to it. You see it all the time, news outlets just copying each other or blowing things out of proportion, stirring up a tempest in a teacup.”
“Are you suggesting we postpone the article? That would make our readers wonder why we’re keeping quiet about this. It would look like we were sleeping on the job.”
A brief silence ensued in our animated Monday morning meeting.
No, we agreed, postponing the article was not an option. One factor in this decision was the fact that Trouw is a serious newspaper not known for publishing nonsense. But, it was reiterated, the professor in question must get a chance to defend herself.
Private matter
Another point was raised: when is a matter private, and therefore not of interest to Observant?
“Vreugdenhil is the founder of Your Coach Next Door (YCND), a foundation allegedly embroiled in the affair. The foundation is related to her work at UM, so if it’s implicated, this concerns UM as well. Which means it’s not a private matter.”
“But it’s her foundation, not work she carries out for UM. If it doesn’t affect her work at UM, why report on it?”
“Well, someone in her position has a duty to set a positive example, doesn’t she? There’s such a thing as ethics. Imagine if a university administrator was caught visiting sex workers, or a staff member renting out substandard housing. Regardless of whether they’re good at their jobs, if they’re involved in a scandal, we report on it. Right? That’s our job.”
Backyard
What about the luxury container home in the garden, though? “Well, surely it’s none of our business what a person does in their own backyard?”
“Generally speaking, no, but we have to report on it if it’s relevant to the story. And it seems to be – although we’ll need to fact-check that, too.”