In its recording of the incident, IPI refers to the online targeting of the Dutch journalist. But it makes special reference to the attempt to defame her by “numerous pro-government media and journalists in Greece, including comments accusing her of lying, spreading propaganda and being an “agent” of Turkey. Other reports delved into her personal life in an attempt to take away her credibility.”
The complete article by the IPI:
On 9 November 2021, Dutch journalist Ingeborg Beugel was subjected to online harassment and attempt to discredit her work after she was involved in a heated exchange with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over allegations of his country’s illegal pushbacks of refugees.
Following her pointed questions at a press conference with the Greek PM, she was targeted online, insulted and accused of spreading Turkish propaganda. Beugel was also the focus of attempts to discredit her by numerous pro government media and journalists in Greece, including some comments which accused her of lying, spreading propaganda and being a “pro-Turkish” agent. Other reports delved into her personal life in an attempt to discredit her. Beugel, a Dutch television program maker based in Athens who is a permanent resident in Greece, had asked the question during a joint press conference between Mitsotakis and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. She had only been allowed one question and asked the Greek PM when he would “stop lying” about the pushbacks of migrants in the Aegean Sea. “Prime Minister Mitsotakis, when, at last, will you stop lying. Lying about pushbacks, lying about what is happening with the refugees in Greece?”
Beugel was referring to allegations by rights groups and organisations including the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR that Greece is unlawfully pushing asylum seekers back to Turkey on its land and sea borders, a practice Greece denies. “There has been overwhelming evidence and you keep denying and lying. This is like narcissistic abuse. Why are you not honest? Why don’t you say ‘Brussels left us alone, we waited for six years, nobody did anything… Now I have a say and yes, I do cruel, barbarian pushbacks.'” Mitsotakis then responded: “I understand that in the Netherlands you have a culture of asking direct questions to politicians, which I very much respect,” he said. “What I will not accept is that in this office you will insult me or the Greek people with accusations and expressions that are not supported by material facts.”
After further interjections from Beugel, a visibly irate Mitsotakis hit back: “Look, you will not come into this building and insult me. Am I very clear on this?” The exchange, captured on camera, was then shared widely on social media leading to both praise and criticism.
