TU Delft apologises for muzzling press

Last Monday, TU Delft ordered the editorial staff of Delta to take down a critical article about the work culture in the I&IC department. Today, the Executive Board expresses regret for its action. It remains uncertain whether the article at issue will reappear online.

Tim van der Hagen, President of the Executive Board, has posted on the TU Delft website that Delta’s editorial staff must be able to practice independent journalism in a safe working environment.

“This should not have happened and I apologise on behalf of the Executive Board, especially to our colleagues at Delta. Delta is an independent journalistic medium. That they follow us critically is not always pleasant, but it is good and necessary. And it should stay that way.”

Backpedalling

TU Delft is in the process of drawing up a plan to improve social safety in the institution, prompted by a critical report by the Inspectorate of Education. “The Executive Board is aware that yesterday’s events will not help this process”, writes Van der Hagen. “That is why we are apologising now.”

TU Delft was previously forced to backpedal. Initially, the Executive Board threatened to take the Inspectorate of Education to court, but changed its mind following a lot of protest – and amid profuse apologies.