Özcan Akyol was not informed in advance that broadcasting director Jan Slagter would terminate their collaboration in an episode of Shownieuws. The presenter reports this in a statement on his website. He is considering “possible steps” with his lawyer.
Akyol hopes that the matter “will be resolved in an orderly manner and in accordance with the agreements.” This is the first time the presenter has responded to Slagter’s announcement.
He says that the team of his program Sterren op het Doek is “angry and uncertain” due to Slagter’s statements. Akyol is investigating whether “a safe and constructive working environment is still possible.” Eus does not say how he is doing this. He does report that shooting days are still planned for the upcoming season in August and September.
Besides Akyol, the “external producer, the facility company, the NPO, editorial staff and artists” also knew nothing about the termination of the collaboration.
“In fact, no one at Omroep MAX was aware. It is a decision that Mr. Slagter took on his own in front of the camera of Shownieuws.“
The NPO is currently in discussion “with all parties involved” about Slagter’s statements, a spokesperson for the broadcasting organization said.
‘These are not acceptable manners’
After Slagter’s announcement, Akyol contacted the public broadcaster. “The directors are now going to try to explain to him, if all goes well, that you cannot treat staff in this way nor violate existing agreements,” writes Akyol.
“I appreciate the involvement of the NPO and expect that, based on the integrity code of the public broadcaster and the law, they can make it clear that these are not acceptable manners.”
The presenter also questions the way in which the supervisory board of Omroep MAX is dealing with the matter: “The board would conduct an investigation into this situation at the beginning of September, when the holiday was over.”
Slagter said in the AD on Sunday that he had already spoken with the supervisory board. “That is again remarkable. Since they were still on vacation three days earlier. Moreover, nothing has been asked of me or the NPO.”
The supervisory board of Omroep MAX confirms that in September it will “reflect” with the board on the question of whether the broadcasting organization offers its employees a safe working environment. Gerard Dielessen of the supervisory board announced this on Monday.
‘Doesn’t get any better’
The presenter regrets that the public broadcaster “is once again in the media in this way.” “The organization is already struggling and things don’t get any better because of these kinds of private matters. For that reason, I limit myself to the business part of this situation.”
Slagter is angry with Akyol because he did not apologize in the program Zomergasten for his statements about Matthijs van Nieuwkerk a year and a half ago.
Akyol had previously said that he had seen a video in which Matthijs van Nieuwkerk showed “not very pleasant behavior.” But those images never surfaced. When Zomergasten presenter Griet Op de Beeck asked about it, Akyol answered evasively.