Our Constitution sets out what all citizens are entitled to. It also sets out the rules for living together harmoniously. People who live or work in Apeldoorn explain what this law means in their daily lives. This time: former newsreader, reporter and author Gijs Wanders on Article 7.
Constitution, Article 7 | Freedom of expression
“In Central America, I realised that freedom is by no means a given”
‘In the Netherlands, you’re free to say and write whatever you think’
“As a child, I dreamt of becoming a writer and setting off on a journey of discovery. So it wasn’t really surprising that I became a journalist. That gave me the chance to travel a lot and discover new things. I soon realised that many people have remarkable stories to tell, from which others can learn. And I also saw that the world was different from what I, as a naïve Westerner, had imagined.”
“My first trip around the world shaped my view of freedom. In Central America, I saw that freedom of expression is by no means a given everywhere. In El Salvador, protesting students were shot dead. In the streets of Nicaragua, the fear of the regime was palpable. As a journalist, I had to highlight this injustice and give a voice to the victims. That is why I travelled more often to countries affected by war and oppression.”
“Whenever I flew back to the free Netherlands, it really was paradise. But that has changed in recent years. There is more mistrust and intolerance. Social media plays a major role in this. People no longer engage in discussion, but shut each other out. Of course, you’re free to say what you think. But that does require respect for one another – really listening to each other. The solution lies primarily with us.”
“Now that I’m 73, my role as a journalist is becoming increasingly minor. I see myself more as a father and a grandfather. For me, the question now is how my daughter – who has a disability – can be herself. How she can express herself and be treated with respect in our society. And how my grandson can grow up to be someone who can make this society a little better. A country where there is room for a thousand opinions.”