"Arena" broadcast about "dishonest media" failed according to ombudsman
The SRF program «Arena» on the credibility of the media was a failure, according to the SRG Ombudsman. The principle of objectivity had been violated.
Almost 500 complaints were received against the show - more than ever before. The main criticism was of host Jonas Projer's treatment of his guest Daniele Ganser. The historian and publicist was said to have been a bit of a jerk in the program on the subject of "Trump's war on the media" (to be seen on Srf.ch) was treated unfairly and discriminatorily and defamed as a conspiracy theorist. In addition, the station had published an e-mail from Ganser without obtaining his consent.
The ombudsman supports some of the criticisms, as he writes in his report published on Tuesday. For example, the objectionable presentation of the guests. It is not the question whether Ganser is controversial or not. The question is whether there was a level playing field. And this was obviously not the case.
Journalistic diligence
The other main characters were presented neutrally with their main activity, Ganser on the other hand as a "controversial publicist". In this way, the editorial team acted in a lecturing manner with regard to the other guests, but in a commentary manner with regard to Ganser. This is not appropriate, writes ombudsman Roger Blum. In a discussion program, the moderator is allowed to critically question one guest, but not to conduct such a "cross-examination" with the other. However, there are two exceptions: In broadcasts before elections and votes, and in broadcasts in which television itself is the subject. And it was precisely the latter that was the case with "Trump's War on the Media.
On the one hand, it was about the profession of the presenter, and on the other, about the presenter's own house, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen SRF. In the process, Projer defended SRF's position. "He was consequently a party and no longer an arbitrator," the ombudsman wrote. When a broadcaster makes itself a subject of discussion, this obliges special journalistic care, he said. "This special journalistic duty of care was not fulfilled in this phase of the broadcast, when Dr. Daniele Ganser was attacked several times."
The ombudsman sees a double breach of the rules when it came to the e-mail. Firstly, it was not fair to publish an e-mail, which actually belongs to the private sphere, on television without the consent of the author. Secondly, it was not fair to omit the second part of the e-mail. This was also a violation of the principle of fairness.
"Lessons learned"
Presenter Jonas Projer had overlooked the fact that there was a double self-thematization in the broadcast and therefore a higher journalistic due diligence would have been necessary. "Even an excellent presenter can fail sometimes," writes the ombudsman. The ombudsman recommends that SRF supplement its "journalistic guidelines" so that a heightened duty of journalistic care applies in programs in which the media in and of themselves and SRF in particular are the subject of discussion. The editorial team had rejected the complaints.
Now it is a matter of learning the lessons from the case and making a better "Arena" next time, Jonas Projer, who is also the editorial director of "Arena," wrote in a statement. "Arena" on the credibility of the media was the reason why SRG ombudsman Blum has received a total of 600 complaints so far in 2017. "In absolute terms, this is a record," Blum says. Even if the number should be taken with a grain of salt, it can be said that the audience is becoming more engaged.
More submissions also to Press Council
The Swiss Press Council has also received more complaints than in other years. Since the beginning of the year, around 40 submissions have already been counted. If it continues at the same pace, it could add up to 120 to 130 complaints, according to managing director Ursina Wey. On average, there are around 70 to 80 a year. President Dominique von Burg puts this into perspective: For example, one person filed six complaints on a single issue, he said, without being able to give details. The Press Council deals with complaints against articles in the media, but not with civil or criminal actions against the media or journalists, says Wey. Finding explanations is difficult, he said. Discussions about fake news or conspiracy theories could have an influence. Blum has observed that Russophiles are increasingly mobilizing via the Internet against political reporting on Syria, Ukraine or Russia. (SDA)
