After almost fifteen years as editor-in-chief, Liesbeth Van Impe is embarking on a new professional chapter within Mediahuis. Indra Dewitte has been put forward as overall editor-in-chief of Mediahuis’ three popular news titles: Nieuwsblad, Het Belang van Limburg and Gazet van Antwerpen. In addition, each title will retain its own editor-in-chief, who will remain responsible for its editorial line.
Liesbeth Van Impe, who has been editor-in-chief of Nieuwsblad for nearly 15 years and, since last year, overall editor-in-chief of both Nieuwsblad and Gazet van Antwerpen, has decided to take on a new professional challenge within Mediahuis. From this summer onwards, she will move to the United States, where she will be working as a senior writer for Mediahuis, reporting on current affairs in the US.
Current editor-in-chief of Het Belang van Limburg, Indra Dewitte, is being put forward as overall editor-in-chief of Mediahuis’ three popular news titles: Nieuwsblad, Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg. In this role, she will define the overarching strategic direction and work closely with the editors-in-chief of each title to further strengthen collaboration between the newsrooms.
An editor-in-chief for each news title
Alongside Indra Dewitte as overall editor-in-chief, each of the three titles will retain its own editor-in-chief, responsible for the editorial line and, in the case of Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Belang van Limburg, their strong local anchoring. At Gazet van Antwerpen, Steven Vankerckhoven¹ will remain editor-in-chief, a role he has held since spring 2025. At Nieuwsblad, Johan Vercammen² is being proposed as editor-in-chief. He has been with the title since 2007 and currently serves as managing editor. At Het Belang van Limburg, Koen Goris³ is being proposed as editor-in-chief. He has worked for HBVL since 1995 and is currently Head of News.
This decision has no impact on the newsroom of De Standaard, which will continue to be led by Karel Verhoeven, as is currently the case.
As provided in Mediahuis’ editorial statute, the editorial councils were asked to give their advice on the appointments of the overall editor-in-chief and the new editors-in-chief.
Koen Verwee, CEO Mediahuis België: “We used Liesbeth’s decision to give her career a new direction as an opportunity to review how best to organise our newsrooms. Our starting point remains that our popular news titles are three distinct brands, each with their own profile, approach, target audience and editor-in-chief. We want to preserve that identity while strengthening collaboration where it adds value. This was the right moment to appoint a single overall editor-in-chief for the three titles. Over the past few years, Indra Dewitte has proven to be a strong editor-in-chief, with not only sharp strategic insight but also the experience needed to guide our teams towards new ways of working together.”
Indra Dewitte: “I am very much looking forward to this new challenge. Collaboration where it adds value, individuality where it is essential – that is and will remain the guiding principle. We need to invest even more in what makes us distinctive and further strengthen our signature journalism. This organizational structure allows our three titles to remain successful and relevant.”
Liesbeth Van Impe becomes senior writer in the US
Liesbeth Van Impe will remain with Mediahuis and will work as a senior writer from the United States. Thanks to her many years of experience as a political journalist and editor-in-chief, and her proven expertise in clearly explaining complex domestic and international political developments, she is ideally placed to provide in-depth analysis and context on US current affairs. Her weekly podcast “Het Punt van Van Impe” will continue, and Mediahuis will explore with her which new series may be developed.
Liesbeth Van Impe: “After nearly fifteen years as editor-in-chief, I felt it was time to return to the basics and work in the field again as a journalist. The coming years in the US promise to be particularly fascinating, and I am looking forward to being close to the news again. I am convinced that Indra is the right person for this role. She knows Mediahuis inside out and our collaboration has always been excellent.”
Koen Verwee: “I would like to thank Liesbeth for her many years of dedication as editor-in-chief of Nieuwsblad. In 2012, she took on this role alongside Pascal Weiss. Together, they strengthened, revitalised and digitalised the newsroom, and helped make Nieuwsblad the success it is today.. I am delighted that Liesbeth will stay with us and continue to put her talent to work for our journalism.”
(1)Steven Vankerckhoven (47) has been with Gazet van Antwerpen for 25 years. During that time, he has held a range of roles: reporter, copy editor, news editor and, for almost a year now, Editor‑in‑Chief. “As a regional news brand, we want to stay close to the biggest city in Flanders and the province. With all the technological innovations, we can broaden our journalism even further and reach as many people in Antwerp as possible — through text, video, spoken news and podcasts.” Steven is also responsible for Made in, Mediahuis’s online platform focused on hyperlocal business and entrepreneurship news.
(2)Johan Vercammen (48)joined Nieuwsblad in 2007 as regional editor and has since held several positions, including head of national copy editing, head of the news team, storytelling, and digital organisation and transformation. He currently oversees the operational leadership of the national newsroom.
“Thanks to this journey, I know our newsroom — and everything it stands for — inside out,” he says. “That experience will help me further grow Nieuwsblad as a brand that stands for high‑quality, accessible journalism, close to the people of Flanders, with a strong heart for sports and a constructive view of the world.”
(3) Koen Goris (54) started in 1995 as a reporter at Het Belang van Limburg and has been one of its leading news managers since 2001. He is responsible for the features team, the investigative unit, politics, economics and the weekend editions, and he has long been head of the crime desk. “From broadsheet to tabloid, from digital‑first to audio and video — I’ve seen every transformation in the newsroom. But the mission has always stayed the same: HBvL is and remains the king of the region, and must be the most relevant news brand in Limburg by far.”
