The opposition green party in the Flemish Parliament has called for the dismissal of the CEO of the Flemish public broadcaster VRT Frederik Delaplace. Green MP Bram Jaques says that Mr Delaplace lied to the Flemish Parliament about transgressive behaviour at the VRT. The liberals (also in the opposition) and the unions that represent staff at the Flemish public broadcaster also have questions about what Mr Delaplace told parliament.
Green party calls for dismissal of VRT’s CEO “He lied to parliament about transgressive behaviour”
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Speaking on VRT News’ parliament programme “Villa Politica’, Mr Jaques said that “A CEO that lies is something that is really serious. I don’t know how you can explain this. As far as I’m concerned, the VRT should get a new CEO”.
The greens say that Mr Delaplace lied to the Media Select Committee of the Flemish Parliament in September when he said that he had “no knowledge” of reports of transgressive behavior by the VRT’s former Director of Content Rickus Jansegers (photo below).
This week’s edition of the magazine Humo published an article in which it was claimed that at least 5 line managers had reported transgressive behavior on the part of Mr Jansegers to the VRT’s senior management. The former Flemish Media Minister Benjamin Dalle (Christian democrat) reportedly discussed the issues of Mr Jansegers’ “transgressive behaviour” and his “toxic leadership style” with the VRT’s CEO.
Liberals want Media Minister to clarify
The liberals too have questions. MP Gwendolyn Rutten told ‘Villa Politica’ that "This is something that gives me great cause for concern and I want clarity’. Who is telling the truth the CEO or the former minister”. However, Ms Rutten doesn’t go as far as the greens in demanding Mr Delaplace’s dismissal. Instead, she is demanding a reaction from the current Media Minister Cieltje Van Achter (nationalist).
Speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current programme ‘De ochtend’, Ms Van Achter said that
"Transgressive behaviour is of course unacceptable. I take it as read that the public broadcaster takes action against it. I think that the question here is whether a formal complaint was made”. No one within the Flemisdh Government seems to question Mr Delaplace’s ability to continue on as CEO.
The unions
In an open letter addressed to the Media Minister, the liberal, socialist and Christian trade unions at the VRT express their concerns. "Given what has happened and in the interest of all VRT staff we ask you the following question: Do actions of the CEO with regard to this case not threaten the VRT’s passion as an example in the fight against transgressive behaviour?”.