A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives reportedly supported a request by D66 member Hanneke van der Werf for Minister of Education, Culture and Science Letschert to discuss a voluntary media code on femicide and gender-based violence with media organisations. The proposal was backed by D66, VVD, PRO, SP, JA21 and BBB and was inspired by Spain, where media organisations have developed their own guidelines rather than following an official directive.

The proposed code could address language, including clearly identifying victims and perpetrators and avoiding terms such as “family drama,” as well as providing context and information about support services. Spanish guidelines described in the account call for reporting gender-based violence as a social problem, explicitly naming femicide, avoiding language that blames victims, giving victims an individual identity and reporting more broadly on gender-based violence. It remains unclear whether Dutch media organisations will agree to similar arrangements.