Iris de Graaf is a journalist, presenter, and writer. For years, she worked as a correspondent in Russia for NOS and Nieuwsuur, where she reported on, among other things, the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Her love for the country took her deep into Moscow, but in the end she was forced to leave Russia under great pressure—for her own safety.
Career
Today, Iris is one of the familiar faces of the NOS Journaal, and her first book, Vrijuit (Lebowski), has been published. In it, she describes her years in Russia and her love for a country that turned out not to be mutual. In 2022, Iris was named Taalstaatmeester for her clear and careful use of language in times of crisis: “Especially in times of crisis and war, language plays an important role in the media. Iris de Graaf uses it in an excellent way.” Harper’s Bazaar awarded her Woman of the Year for her courage, openness, and dedication to telling the real story.
Iris de Graaf as a speaker
On stage, Iris is a powerful and accessible storyteller. She knows how to translate complex geopolitical themes into understandable stories, without losing sight of nuance. She speaks about journalism, press freedom, media, war, and disinformation—topics that are more relevant than ever. She hosts events, performs in theaters, takes part in debates, or joins talk shows. From Lowlands to Tivoli Vredenburg, from debate jury member to keynote speaker..
