Mayor Van der Werff yesterday banned journalists at an information meeting on the reception of additional refugees in Luttelgeest to allow participants to speak freely.
He acknowledges that is an unusual remedy, but the interests of local residents stood according to the mayor first. "Everybody had that evening to speak freely. That is the reason why the meeting took place behind closed doors. Media were not welcome, because then residents may feel inhibited in their expression," Van der Werff said in a statement.
He said that an emergency decree was issued because the press did not want to stand at a distance. Journalists Omroep Flevoland were turned away by police. Van der Werff said that the journalists knew that they were not welcome.
He also stressed that the broadcasting spread misinformation. For example, the broadcaster would have reported that the college had already taken a decision on the matter, whereas this is not the case.
Hallway to court
The Society of Editors has objected to the use of the Emergency Ordinance. Omroep Flevoland get to the administrative court. "We can not let you go on our side," said editor in chief Berends.
Luttelgeest now captures 1400 asylum seekers. The COA has requested the reception of a further 450 people. According to the municipality, the private meeting yesterday "fairly quiet" expired.
Source: NOS.nl/ © Reuters
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