Voorburgs Dagblad | Jan Slagter and Natascha van Weezel contenders for the Fortuyn Prize

Broadcaster MAX boss Jan Slagter and writer/columnist Natascha van Weezel have a chance to win the Pim Fortuyn Prize this year. The other nominees are Eric Smit (co-founder and journalist Follow The Money), Arendo Joustra (former editor-in-chief EW Magazine), Timon Dias (opinion maker GeenStijl) and Ton F. van Dijk (investigative journalist). Jury member and JA21 leader Joost Eerdmans announced this on Monday on the 22nd anniversary of the death of the prize’s namesake, politician Pim Fortuyn.

It is the tenth time that the prize has been awarded. It was created ten years ago to honor opinion makers, politicians and administrators who, like Fortuyn, dare to speak out unequivocally in the social debate and fight for free speech.

According to the jury, Slagter was nominated because he “publicly expressed himself against the unbridled cancellation and the overreaching of the woke movement”. He also reaches and connects groups of people through his Omroep MAX, says the jury. Van Weezel has a chance because she is critical of Israel in her work, while she herself has Jewish roots, and according to the jury that shows courage. “Despite all the anti-Semitic, non-anti-Semitic and personal attacks, she continues to fearlessly express her views. She is the voice of reason.”

Eric Smit is eligible for the Pim Fortuyn Prize for his work for Follow The Money: “The goal of FTM is to conduct independent research into people, organizations and systems that misbehave financially and economically. This is done fearlessly and well documented,” says the jury. For his “years of passionate commitment to the important stories behind the news”, the jury nominates former editor-in-chief Joustra of EW Magazine, formerly Elsevier Weekblad. He is “enthusiastic and charming at the same time” and “does not shy away from controversy”.

Investigative journalist Ton F. van Dijk is “perhaps the most dangerous investigative journalist if you have something to hide. A pit bull who will not let go” with “countless high-profile revelations” to his name. “Enough reasons to nominate him,” said the jury. And Timon Dias, as GeenStijl editor, has a chance to win the prize because he “engages in dialogue on controversial topics such as climate, woke and migration in a refined and enlightened manner.”

The Pim Fortuyn Prize will be awarded on May 22 in the Nieuwspoort press center. The previous winner, the Flemish politician Bart De Wever, is also there. The jury consists of chairman Simon Fortuyn, professor and publicist Afshin Ellian, psychiatrist and columnist Esther van Fenema and Joost Eerdmans.

By: ANP