Nearly two years ago, Dutch higher education faced two major censorship cases—one in Delft and one in Eindhoven—prompting public outcry and debate in the House of Representatives. Former Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf voiced his support for independent journalism at universities and universities of applied sciences.

Since then, multiple university-affiliated publications have been working on revised editorial statutes. These documents formally state that the editorial boards operate independently from the institutions that fund them.

A Lifeline

Two weeks ago, Erasmus Magazine, the publication of Erasmus University Rotterdam, introduced a new statute. There was no censorship issue at the university, but the revision was a preemptive measure. Such a statute is “something you hope you’ll never need, but must be in place,” wrote editor-in-chief Wieneke Gunneweg, comparing it to a lifebuoy: if you're already in the water, it's too late to make one.

Among other changes, the new statute strengthens editorial independence by explicitly stating that the university will “respect the free and independent practice of journalism.”

Liability Threat

At Delta, the publication of TU Delft, the situation was more serious. Last year, under pressure from the university’s legal department, the editorial board removed an article about a culture of fear under a former director. The editor-in-chief was told she could be held personallyliable for any damages if the article remained online.

Now, TU Delft’s Executive Board has approved a new statute for Delta, stating that the board will protect the editorial board’s independence. “That sounds much more proactive than the more conditional ‘entrust’ used in the previous statute,” editor-in-chief Saskia Bonger wrote in an editorial.

Dismissals

At the start of this academic year, Cursor, the publication of TU Eindhoven, also adopted a new statute. The previous version had required the editorial board to consider the university’s interests—language that has now been removed.

At Cursor, the publication's editorial advisory board recommended not publishing an article on conflicts of interest. The editor-in-chief was eventually dismissed, and the editorial team took the website offline in protest against increasing pressure from the Executive Board to suppress certain stories.

Other editorial teams are currently revising their statutes as well. Last year, Profielen, the publication of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, announced plans for a new statute after its editorial team was moved under the university’s marketing and communications department.

A piece of paper declaring your independence only protects you if everyone respects it. Reflecting on the value of Delta’s new statute, editor-in-chief Saskia Bonger wrote: “Its greatest value lies in raising awareness—of why Delta exists, how the editorial board operates, how journalism works, and the space TU Delft must provide to enable it.”