Media News - Friday, April 17, 2009

Netherlands: Utrecht mayor apologises for press blunder

The mayor of Utrecht Aleid Wolfsen has apologised to the city council for his part in preventing the publication of an article in a local freesheet which reflected badly on him. The freesheet planned to place an article on expenses submitted by the mayor for accommodation costs. In the piece, local government expert Twan Tak says that the mayor was not entitled to the expenses. The publishing house decided to withdraw the piece after pressure from the mayor. The paper's editor told various media earlier that Mr Wolfsen had also threatened the paper with huge consequences if the publication of the piece went ahead. The freesheet relies heavily on advertising revenue from the council. The mayor admits that he should not have interfered with the publication of the piece and said press freedom was one of the core values of democracy. In spite of strong criticism by Utrecht's councillors they rejected a motion to investigate the issue further. The National Union of Journalists however says it will take steps against the publishing house as it removed the article without the knowledge of the editor who is responsible for the paper's content. (Radio Netherlands)

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