Record number of complaints after "Arena" broadcast
The SRF program «Arena,» which focused on the credibility of the media, sparked a record number of complaints: Following a dispute between historian Daniele Ganser and SRF host Jonas Projer, the SRG ombudsman received 492 complaints.
The contents of the complaints were all similar. "492 complaints were received against the Arena broadcast - the highest number since the ombudsman's office has existed," Roger Blum, SRG's ombudsman, told news agency SDA. "Without exception, all complaints are in favor of the guest, Daniele Ganser".
Daniele Ganser is a historian and publicist. He was invited to the program "Trump's War" in February to discuss trust or distrust in the media as one of two guests who distrust the media. In the process, a dispute arose between him and the host, which triggered the wave of complaints.
According to Blum, all without exception complained that Ganser had been treated unfairly or discriminatorily. In addition, the station had published an e-mail from Ganser without obtaining his consent.
Many letters from abroad
"It is interesting that the contents of the complaints are partly very similar," Blum said. He added that it was also noteworthy that a considerable proportion of the letters had come from abroad - from Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, Luxembourg and Holland. Because of his appearances abroad, Daniele Ganser has a "considerable fan base" there, according to Blum.
The ombudsman now has to sift through the almost 500 texts, summarize the main arguments and issue an assessment in a final report. In doing so, he will take media ethics principles into account. In addition, the Radio and Television Act will come into play. According to Blum, it is also important to bear in mind that this is a discussion program and not an information program. "The Federal Court makes a distinction here," he explains. In a discussion program, the presenter - unlike in an information program - cannot exert 100 percent influence on the content.
According to Blum, SRF is currently also working on a statement. Both will be sent to the complainants at the beginning of April. They will be free to decide whether they want to appeal to the Independent Complaints Authority for Radio and Television (UBI). This requires the signatures of 20 people per UBI complaint. (SDA)
