Pointer — Pointer 2023
This season, join us as Pointer delves into a world of hidden truths and systemic injustice. Alongside our dedicated team, we’ll witness firsthand how investigative reporting can shine a light on deeply troubling issues, uncovering stories that powerful forces would rather keep buried. Expect compelling narratives driven by relentless pursuit – each episode a gripping exploration of the complexities involved in fighting for fairness and accountability. Prepare to be challenged, informed, and moved as Pointer fearlessly exposes what others try to conceal.
Across the Netherlands, 2.5 million individuals face challenges with reading, writing, and/or mathematics, hindering their full engagement with society. In Heerlen, South Limburg, a region with a notably high concentration of low-literacy, …
The reality for many students is a stark one: homes plagued by vermin and mold, nights spent in tents on crowded campsites, or arduous journeys by train just to attend lectures. A significant lack of affordable housing compels acceptance of…
A wave of dismay swept through the Netherlands last autumn with the revelation that some children in the nation, despite its prosperity, were attending school without adequate nourishment. The news ignited widespread indignation, prompting …
Those seeking relief from psychological distress must possess considerable patience. Currently, eighty-five thousand individuals stand on a waiting list for mental health services. Meanwhile, the demand for such support continues to grow. I…
The Healy, a small device worn clipped to clothing, has become the subject of many enthusiastic accounts on platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Proponents claim it enhances well-being through frequency therapy, offering a remedy for a wide…
Emergency aid is being allocated to millions because children are hungry in classrooms. This is a stopgap measure for a problem that has persisted for years. Hunger and poor nutrition impede equal opportunity. Teachers Jean-Paul and Susanne…
The parliamentary committee's inquiry into the Groningen earthquakes revealed a disturbing truth: for years, the safety of the region’s inhabitants has been disregarded. Yet, the question remains: what progress has been made? Thousands stil…
Public transportation faces increasing strain, particularly in rural communities. While operating buses with few passengers is financially unsustainable, the service is essential for maintaining a decent quality of life. Consider the predic…
In the Netherlands, 1.3 million individuals work the night shift, either occasionally or as a regular part of their routine. Some describe it as wonderfully peaceful, but this tranquility often comes at the expense of restful sleep. Night w…
The transition to climate-friendly transportation sees diesel buses in rural areas yielding to electric alternatives. Yet, across significant portions of the Netherlands, public transport is becoming less viable, rendering a car almost indi…
A severe housing deficit persists, and property prices remain stubbornly elevated. Despite this, new construction is proceeding at a disappointingly slow rate. Instead, developers are deferring projects, finding it more advantageous to wait…
In Groningen, a troubling issue persists: some residents have unknowingly overpaid for years due to inaccurate energy labels affixed to their properties. The question arises – who bears responsibility for these flawed assessments impacting …
An unsettling trend reveals young people are increasingly entering the criminal justice system at younger ages, often for escalating offenses. A life of crime can accelerate rapidly, progressing from drug distribution to calculated violence…
The final assessment for group 8 approaches, and educators anticipate the familiar signs: pale faces, frayed tempers, and upset stomachs. However, the pressure isn't confined to this single exam. Teachers observe stress among students in gr…
The warning signs preceding intimate partner homicide have been recognized for decades. A partner who has previously committed strangulation, for instance, presents a risk seven times greater to the victim’s life. Yet, the Netherlands frequ…
The specialized teams that respond to animal emergencies brace themselves against the looming threat of a bird flu pandemic. Currently, they routinely clear up the carcasses of infected wild birds, often incurring these expenses personally.…
Against municipal regulations, Maaike resides with her family at a holiday park. In recent years, the municipality has tightened its rules, culminating in the sealing of their home last year and all its repercussions. Now, the family exists…
As the need for round-the-clock care grows, many parents opt to care for children with severe multiple disabilities within their own homes. They often deem institutional care inadequate, facing lengthy delays for placement. The challenges a…
A demand for homes exists, and developers often seek to construct them in meadowlands. A picturesque polder, poised for development near Alphen aan de Rijn, presents an opportunity. Yet, is Gnephoek truly the most suitable location for ten …
The aftermath of World War II brought with it the loss of countless synagogues and Jewish cemeteries. Since 2020, Pointer has been investigating the fate of Jewish-owned property that was seized and resold during the war, uncovering twenty …
The Netherlands is deeply invested in achieving sustainability, a commitment that necessitates both increased electricity consumption and greater power generation. However, our existing electricity grid struggles to accommodate this growing…
The demand for intensive care for those with dementia will rise in the years ahead, yet new spaces in nursing homes are not being created. Housing associations and healthcare providers express concern, as the planned 40,000 residential plac…
The primary aim of incarceration for young people is rehabilitation: to prepare them for a return to society without repeating past errors. Yet, despite this intention, rates of re-offending remain stubbornly high. Over half of those who se…
The primary aim of incarceration for young people is rehabilitation: to prepare them for a return to society without repeating past errors. Yet, despite this intention, rates of reoffending remain stubbornly high. Over half of those who ser…
Schoonebeek has long been synonymous with oil extraction. Yet, the sentiment in this Drenthe village is shifting. Proposals to inject wastewater from the extraction process into the ground have met with resistance. While NAM and the ministr…
Achieving climate goals hinges on a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, an alternative proposition has gained traction: offsetting emissions rather than directly reducing them. *Pointer* investigates these questionable proje…
Those who experience domestic violence, sexual exploitation, or sexual assault often find themselves overlooked by authorities like the police and support services such as Veilig Thuis. *De Balie Live Journalism* investigated their experien…
A reluctance to read is a common trait among Dutch children. Our ten-year-olds consistently rank low in international assessments of reading enjoyment, and their reading proficiency now falls below the Western average. What distinguishes th…
In recent years, countless farmers have invested in costly, sustainable stable flooring, hoping to bolster their livestock. These "magic floors" were touted as significantly reducing nitrogen emissions, but emerging research suggests they o…
A wave of dismay has washed over Westerveld's residents following the municipality's decision to construct a cycle path directly through a protected nature reserve. The project proceeds on the basis of an ecological assessment predicting no…
Classical music often evokes an image of refinement, perhaps even a touch of austerity. Its masterpieces are performed by leading orchestras within centuries-old concert halls. From a young age, musicians dedicate themselves entirely to the…
We favor holidays within our own country, or short breaks in the woods, on the heath, or by the sea. Holiday homes are exceptionally popular. While holiday parks continue to expand in Zeeland, a group of local residents have now reached a p…
By the year 2050, fifteen hundred kilometers of dikes in the Netherlands will require reinforcement. The nation faces growing vulnerability as sea levels rise and extreme weather events become more frequent. But what if the work itself enco…
Those identifying as autonomous or sovereign citizens maintain that Dutch laws and regulations hold no sway over them, and that governmental authority is unwarranted. This often manifests in a refusal to pay taxes, with significant repercus…
In the Netherlands, opioid use has risen dramatically over the last two decades. Prompted by the escalating opioid crisis in the United States, a task force was formed in 2019 with the aim of curbing this growth within our own country. Howe…
The dual demands of work and informal care present a formidable challenge, often proving nearly insurmountable. Consequently, many informal caregivers reduce their working hours or cite illness, according to recent studies. Estimates sugges…
A critical shortage of skilled professionals plagues our nation, particularly in fields like construction and healthcare. Yet, we fail to inspire young people to pursue practical trades. Instead, schools and parents alike steer students tow…
Classical music often evokes an image of refined order, perhaps even a certain austerity. These compositions, frequently centuries old, are meticulously preserved, a task that can prove challenging. Following an initial installment in Septe…
The race for seats in the House of Representatives is now in full force, a contest where candidates vie relentlessly for public support. Election platforms, debates, and televised appearances are filled with concise statements, but how much…
Electric bicycles are increasingly fashionable, woven into the fabric of our cycle paths. The recent popularity of fat bikes has further fueled this trend, leading to a growing number of young children riding these powered machines. Is this…
Financial hardship affects a significant portion of Dutch households – one in five. In an effort to alleviate this and avert debt crises stemming from online payments, municipalities have been reaching out to residents since 2021 regarding …
Illness often leads to hardship for migrant workers, resulting in job loss and precarious circumstances. Disoriented by the complexities of the Dutch healthcare system, they receive little assistance from employment agencies. Many who fall …
Veterinary care is growing increasingly costly, a consequence of a troubling commercialization of animal welfare. The expense of even routine procedures on dogs and cats now often reaches thousands of euros. This escalating cost is becoming…
Silent Russian vessels have been observed conducting clandestine patrols near our shores. For days, they remain motionless in the North Sea, positioned over vital underwater cables, gas pipelines, and wind farms. Is Russia contemplating an …
A year ago, the Health Council advised a reduction in volume levels. Still, no change has been made. Is sufficient consideration given to the damaging effects of excessive noise on our hearing? Physicians have long voiced concern about a po…
Hot flashes, aches, and cognitive difficulties… Menopausal ailments are finally receiving greater attention. Celebrities in the Netherlands are sharing their experiences through podcasts and books, and the topic is even finding its way into…
