Popular television channel KRO-NCRV has stopped posting on social media platform X following the “continuous, often anonymous, hateful and plain racist comments” directed at rapper, writer and campaigner Akwasi, following his appearance on a tv quiz show.

“Every night #Akwasi is trending on X, thanks to all the racist and negative posts,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is becoming “more and more of a disruptive platform,” thanks to the “anonymous keyboard warriors who sit behind their laptops writing the most abhorrent rubbish,” added KRO-NCRV director Peter Kuipers.

Kuipers said he hoped other media companies would also stop using X as a platform. The broadcaster will continue to post on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Akwasi, who was winner of the day on the quiz show De slimste mens (the smartest person), has also stopped using X.

KRO-NCRV had 5700 followers on X and placed fewer than 100 posts last year.
Omroep Zwart, the public broadcaster which Akwasi helped found, said on Instagram that the reactions to his appearance on the show are “also part of the Netherlands”.

This is exactly why a broadcaster such as OZ exists, the new broadcasting company said. “It is clear we still have a long way to go.”