Jaap van Deurzen has been a reporter for RTL Nieuws since 1989, traveling from one conflict zone to another to report on the horrors of wars, genocides, and disasters around the world. He witnessed the Balkan Wars, the genocide in Rwanda, and the 9/11 attacks at close range. Jaap is known for his human and narrative style and his ability to put events into perspective, using humor as a source of strength. His presentations offer a unique mix of historical insights, personal stories, and a tribute to human resilience.
Jaap as a Speaker and Moderator
As a moderator, Jaap combines sharp focus with a touch of humor to make every conference or event a success. He ensures that the right questions are asked and that the content remains focused. As a speaker, he shares his experiences from more than thirty years as a journalist, using powerful reports to show what it is like to work as a disaster and war correspondent. With his unique stories, he knows how to engage and inspire his audience.
In the Media
Jaap van Deurzen grew up in the shadow of the Feyenoord stadium in Rotterdam-Zuid. Even as a child, he dreamed of becoming a journalist. He eventually achieved that dream through many detours, challenges, and setbacks. In 1989, his son Tim was born. His carefree life as a tour guide and freelance writer for various magazines and newspapers came to an end. Now that they had a family, Jaap and his wife wanted greater financial security.
He took a course at the Media Academy in Hilversum to become a video journalist. At the same time, he tried to get a position as a journalist for newspapers or magazines, but for the time being, that proved to be a step too far. He was determined to achieve his goal and left no stone unturned. For example, he submitted articles to the feminist magazine OPZIJ under the name Josefine van Deurzen. The editors were impressed by his stories and began publishing them, unaware that the author was a man.
At the time, all communication took place by fax. Eventually, it was time for payment. When he was asked for Josefine van Deurzen’s bank account number, he confessed to the deception, bringing his career as a feminist columnist to an end.
When he shared the anecdote at the Media Academy with one of his lecturers, it turned out to be a turning point. Coincidence does not exist. At that time, the producer was setting up the editorial team of RTL Nieuws and was looking for editors. She saw ingenuity and courage in Jaap’s OPZIJ story. And those were precisely the qualities she was looking for. His dream had come true.
