Between 1973 and 1976 he was a member of CPN and along with his wife journalist Anet Bleich, he released the book Ga dan zelf naar Siberië! (1978). In 1976, he started as a journalist at Vrij Nederland, where he wrote the column 'Het Wereldje'. In 1981, he became the political editor of Vrij Nederland, and stayed in that position until 1998. In 2000, he became the vice-editor of Vrid Nederland. In 2004, he became the political commentator for the paper. He became the chairman of International Press Centre Nieuwspoort between 2007 and 2011. He won the Anne Vondeling-award twice, in 1983 and 1994.
