Salon meeting NieuwRechts

According to the speakers, traditional media are heavily dominated by the political left, while alternative voices often prove too polarising to appeal to a broader audience. NieuwRechts aims to break this tension by placing freedom of expression at the forefront, without resorting to agitation or partisan politics. The editorial team embraces pluralism, without binding itself to a fixed ideological framework. This sets NieuwRechts apart from both mainstream media and explicitly right-wing platforms such as De Dagelijkse Standaard.

 

There is also a clear intention not to remain stuck in negative reporting on Dutch politics, which is already abundant on social media. NieuwRechts seeks not to reinforce a sense of powerlessness, but instead to offer helpful criticism and otherwise constructive articles.

Political parties are increasingly approaching the platform directly. In each case, the editorial team weighs whether contributions align with the broader aim: a substantive, open discussion that allows for disagreement. A key objective here is to facilitate debate between the political left and right. So far, willingness to participate appears to come mainly from the right; responses from progressive circles remain limited.

 

Within the political right, however, the conversation is being actively pursued, especially around topics such as Russia and European cooperation. Regarding the war in Ukraine, for instance, NieuwRechts has published interviews with representatives from both the party of Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán and that of Ukrainian President Zelensky.

 

This means that the platform’s focus is not limited to domestic politics. Whereas many new media outlets concentrate exclusively on the Netherlands, NieuwRechts actively seeks international collaboration and inspiration—for example, with Hungary’s Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) and the magazine The European Conservative.

 

This course demands constant reflection. When engaging with political parties and individuals whose views may be considered extreme, the challenge lies in giving underrepresented perspectives a platform without losing credibility. For complex topics, the editorial team therefore consults institutions such as the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) or the country’s Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS). Second opinions are also sought from international experts. This approach resonates with readers who, via social media, are already accustomed to receiving news from a variety of sources. By thus emphasising substantive assessment and avoiding sensationalism, NieuwRechts aims to avoid becoming a vehicle for unfounded conspiracy theories or other dubious claims.

 

Finally, NieuwRechts collaborates with influencers of diverse backgrounds, such as the centre-left Christian Democratic councillor Rogier Havelaar, in order to reach new audiences in a fragmented media landscape. The inclusion of such voices stretches the conventional boundaries between left and right.