Debate: How Dangerous Is Disinformation for Our Democracy?

Date: 10 March
Time: 17:00 - 18:30
Location: Nieuwspoort

This is a Dutch-language event.

Date & Time: Tuesday, 10 March 2026, 17:00 – 18:30
Location: Nieuwspoort, Bezuidenhoutseweg 67, The Hague

On Tuesday, 10 March, politicians, experts, journalists, and young people will debate an urgent question: how significant is the influence of disinformation on (municipal council) elections?

As much as 80% of Dutch municipalities provide no information about disinformation or have no dedicated official to address it. What does this mean for the upcoming municipal elections? Can we effectively combat disinformation if it is almost impossible to establish and enforce comprehensive rules? And what is at stake for our democracy?

During this debate, we will explore the roles that municipalities, local politicians, and regional and local journalism can—or must—play.

The debate follows the “House of Commons method”: participants in the audience take a literal position on provocative statements, fostering a lively discussion. Contributions will be made by:

Pieter van Boheemen, Director of Post-X Society and democracy innovator
Patricia van Rijswijk, News Literacy Specialist at Beeld & Geluid
Ivar Lingen, Editor-in-Chief, Omroep West
Bram Zwart and Alyssa Alvares, from #UseTheNews, the news platform for the future

The evening will be moderated by journalist and presenter Esther van Rijswijk.
Mayor Jan van Zanen of The Hague will give a short introduction.

At the end of the debate, action points will be presented to Mayor Van Zanen as a representative of the municipalities and to Remco Meijer, Chair of Nieuwspoort.

The debate is organized by the Coalition for Free Speech, in collaboration with Nieuwspoort, #UseTheNews, and the Municipality of The Hague.

Practical information: