ThePostOnline Celebrates 15 Years

ThePostOnline Celebrates 15 Years, and We’re Marking the Occasion with a Q&A with Editor-in-Chief Bert Brussen

When was ThePostOnline founded?

“TPO was founded as DeJaap.nl in 2009.

From 2012 onwards, it became ThePostOnline.nl.”

Why was ThePostOnline founded?

“In 2009, in response to the broadcaster VARA’s plan to launch a ‘decent Geenstijl’ called Joop.nl, the decision was made to create the opinion site DeJaap.nl. Since jaap.nl (a real estate website) was already taken, it became DeJaap.nl. Initially, mostly opinion pieces from largely unknown authors were published. The guiding principle was ‘beyond one’s own righteousness,’ so opinions from all sides were welcome. The site’s reach grew, and advertisers led to increasing revenue, transforming it from a hobby project into a business.”

"At Geenstijl, we follow the rules of Fight Club: you do NOT talk about Fight Club." – Bert Brussen.

How did the ownership of ThePostOnline evolve?

“In 2012, V Ventures, the investment company of the Veronica Association, invested in DeJaap.nl and took a majority stake in the site. The name was changed to ThePostOnline.nl, and a limited company (BV) was established. The goal was to expand the site from an opinion site into a news and opinion platform.

ThePostOnline, abbreviated as TPO, developed as an online medium primarily serving the politically right side of society. By 2015, the site was attracting well over a million unique visitors per month. A new motto was introduced: ‘While you sleep, we stay awake.’

In 2019, the partnership with V Ventures ended. The existing limited company was liquidated, and 100% of the shares in a new company for TPO.nl came under my ownership. I continued independently with TPO.nl.

In 2022, the TPO.nl limited company was 100% acquired by Young Media.”

Where does ThePostOnline want to go next?

“After years of providing current news, TPO wants to dive deeper. Less quick news, more depth and background that appeals to a broad, wider-than-just-right, intelligent audience. TPO aims to engage the autonomous thinker and return to the classical values of journalism: objective facts first, but all the facts, without holding back or trying to steer the debate.”

Tell us more about the connection with Young Media’s CEO, Gert-Jan Lasterie…

The relationship with Young Media CEO Gert-Jan Lasterie goes way back. As the founder of Flabber.nl, Gert-Jan was a pioneer of the Dutch internet landscape. Flabber was one of the first major commercial websites in the early 21st century. I met Gert-Jan through a fellow student and via Flabber.nl. Later, we lived in the same student house in Utrecht.