Dutch radio personality Ruud de Wild temporarily stepped away from his show on NPO Radio 2 after receiving death threats following an interview with documentary maker Julie Ng. The incident highlights growing concerns about online harassment and its impact on public figures.

Background: The Interview and Controversy

The controversy stems from an interview with Julie Ng, director of the documentary Meer dan Babi Pangang (More than Babi Pangang), which explores the cultural identity of Chinese-Dutch people. During the interview, De Wild and his co-host Lauren Verster initially presented the conversation with a Chinese-themed musical intro labeled “Het China Journaal” and made jokes referencing spring rolls and babi pangang sauce.

Following criticism from listeners regarding the perceived insensitivity of the interview, Ng was invited back for further questioning. De Wild subsequently apologized, and Verster acknowledged the conversation as a learning experience. Ng filed complaints with the NPO, the Dutch Media Commission, the Ombudsman of Public Broadcasting, PowNed, and Media Minister Rianne Letschert, according to AD.

Escalation of Threats and De Wild’s Response

De Wild reported receiving a “wave of threats” after the interview, including abusive messages and threats against his family, including his mother and children. He announced his decision to leave the studio mid-broadcast on Monday, March 23, 2026, stating, “Enough is enough.” Sidekick Gijs Hakkert took over the broadcast.

According to NOS News, De Wild had previously offered to watch the documentary with Ng privately and reiterated that offer on air before leaving the studio.

Reactions and Support

PowNed, De Wild’s employer, confirmed he would be off the air for the remainder of the week, with Eddy Keur filling in. PowNed chairman Dominique Weesie defended De Wild, stating the initial interview was a joke and criticizing the filmmakers for repeatedly labeling De Wild as racist, as reported by Villamedia.

The makers of Meer dan Babi Pangang condemned the death threats as “beyond outrageous” but emphasized their desire for a public screening of the documentary followed by a discussion involving De Wild and PowNed management, according to RTL Boulevard.

Ombudsman’s Assessment

The Ombudsman for public broadcasters, Margo Smit, stated last week that although the interview was not definitively discriminatory, it was “sloppy and regrettable” to rely on flat prejudices, particularly given the documentary’s focus on challenging those same prejudices.