Warm tributes have been paid to Hans de Bruijn, a long-time stalwart of the media scene in Brussels, who has died, aged 75.
He was Secretary General of the International Press Association, API-IPA, the first organization to unite non-Belgian journalists of all categories and specializations based in Belgium. Hans had served in the role since 2013. He passed away on 30 November.
Catherine Feore, Vice President API, told this site:
“Hans was such a decent and kind person. After a full and impressive career as a journalist, he took on the role of Secretary General of the International Press Association. When others would have been happy to put their feet up, Hans was very much committed to fighting the corner and achieving the best outcomes for journalists.”
She added,
“His long career and experience were invaluable and he is greatly, greatly missed.”
On Friday, API-IPA issued a statement which said he had
“showed quiet, patient, and unwavering commitment after a courageous battle with illness.”
The statement read,
“More than a secretary general, Hans was a dear friend to so many of us.
“Loyal, decent, and always modest, he had a constant, grounded sense of what was feasible, appropriate, and simply the right thing to do. Hans’ dedication to API-IPA was boundless, lasting until the very end of his battle with illness.”
Born in The Hague in 1950, Hans spent many years of his professional career outside his home country, working as a correspondent in Brussels and Washington. Yet he always remained attached to his origins. He became API vice-president in 2011 after a 37-year career at the Netherlands Press Association (GPD).
The statement added,
“We are deeply grateful for his boundless commitment to API. Even as he battled illness, Hans was the driving force behind our 50th-anniversary celebration in July at the Residence Palace.
“Both the small and major tasks he performed—quietly, diligently, and without fanfare—were essential to defending foreign correspondents.
“His absence is felt acutely in our small, volunteer-driven organization. And we mourn his loss. But we also remember the joy and professionalism that Hans brought to our work. Hans held clear views on how to move our API forward, yet he always listened and consistently forged compromises in the interest of Brussels’ entire international press corps—members and non-members alike.
“This made him a deeply respected interlocutor in relations with the EU institutions, NATO, and the Belgian authorities.”
The statement said,
“Never judgmental and always able to see the lighter side, Hans made our correspondents’ community both stronger and kinder.
Comments
20 responses to “Beloved Journalist Remembered with Tributes”
Seems like the only thing sturdier than Hans’ dedication to journalism was the coffee he probably drank by the gallon. A true legend who understood the importance of a good story and a decent pint. 🍻
So, the darling of Brussels journalism has kicked the bucket, eh? I suppose now the only ones left to fight the good fight are the ones who haven’t yet figured out how to use a keyboard properly. 😏
Looks like Hans went from being Brussels’ journalistic giant to a true legend—one foot in the grave and the other still pushing for press freedom; now that’s commitment! 😏 Only in this job could you be missed more than the last train home.
Such a lovely farewell for Hans, isn’t it? You know you’ve made it when “loyal” and “modest” are your top accolades—like winning a gold medal for participation in life’s most boring marathon. 😏
A true legend passes, and it seems the only thing more impressive than his commitment to journalism is how he managed to keep a straight face in Brussels politics. 🤔💼 A toast to Hans – the man who fought for the press while probably rolling his eyes at the rest of us! 🍻
So, we finally lost the one journalist who believed in ‘quiet, patient commitment’—clearly, a revolutionary idea in today’s world of clickbait and hot takes. 😏 Guess the Brussels press scene will now be a bit less ‘modest’ and a lot more ‘loud and flashy’, eh?
Pff, just what we need, another tributing marathon for a journalist who actually did his job well – how dare he? 🙄 Next, we’ll be naming streets after every barista who serves a decent cappuccino!
So, a beloved journalist passes away and suddenly he’s the saint of Brussels? What’s next, a statue in every square? 🤷♂️ Just another day in the land of over-the-top tributes, I suppose!
Oh, what a shocker! A journalist who actually cared about his job and the people around him—how utterly quaint in this day and age! 😏
So, the great Hans de Bruijn has shuffled off this mortal coil, eh? One less person fighting the good fight while the rest of us carry on with our usual shenanigans. 🍷
Must be nice to be remembered as “decent” and “kind” after a lifetime of chasing the elusive scoop, eh? 😏 Sounds like a proper send-off for a man who took “fighting the corner” to Olympic levels—who knew being a journalist involved such heavy lifting?
Never thought I’d see the day when a journalist would actually be missed. I mean, who knew they could be more than just a source of endless press releases and coffee spills? 😂
Blimey, a journalist who actually cared about the craft? What a rarity these days! 🤔 It’s almost like he did his job properly—how quaint!
Seems like Hans was the only one who could wrangle the bureaucrats in Brussels without losing his sense of humor. Quite the achievement for a media man, eh? 😏
Typical Brussels, eh? A legend passes, and all we get is a mountain of heartfelt tributes—makes you wonder if the man was running for Mayor instead of just reporting on it. 😂
Who knew being a secretary general was a full-time gig? Hats off to Hans for spending his golden years working harder than most of us do in a lifetime. 🎩 #Respect
Typical, isn’t it? The only time a journalist gets a proper send-off is when they kick the bucket—guess now they’ll have to find someone else to keep the EU on its toes. 🥳💼
Seems like we’ve lost another one of those “decent and kind” souls who actually believed in working hard instead of just sipping espresso in a corner café. But hey, at least he left us with heartfelt tributes to ponder over while we scroll through Twitter. 🙄☕️
So, the world has lost yet another humble media giant who apparently did everything except bake cookies for the press corps. If only we all could be “decent and kind” while managing to dodge retirement like it’s a Brussels pothole. 😏
Oh, what a tragedy! A journalist who actually cared about his work and the people—how utterly rare! 😏 It’s almost as if they’re trying to find a unicorn in a Brussels café.
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