Bias? "My publicity appearances are not a problem," says Rigozzi
In the Sunday press, host Christa Rigozzi has pushed back against criticism that her involvement in the new SRF socio-political program «Arena/Reporter» conflicts with her numerous advertising appearances.
"My advertising appearances are not a problem. No commercials involving me will be broadcast before or after the show. I have contractually committed to this restriction," says Rigozzi in an interview with the SonntagsZeitung. How exactly Rigozzi's signature influences the booking policy of her clients and SRF is not explained further.
When asked whether you don't lose credibility in a news program if you promote small loans at the same time, Rigozzi again waves it off: "I don't see a problem. On Sunday, I talk to viewers about the child protection authority Kesb and not about small loans, coffee or Schöggeli. This criticism in the media is completely fabricated."
Rigozzi also rejects the accusation in SonntagsBlick that it is not possible to have an unbiased discussion about traffic when you are promoting a car brand at the same time. It is not about her, but about the voice of the public, which she represents. "We don't talk about whether I come by car or take the train - which I've been doing for a month, by the way, as I often work in Zurich."
Rigozzi resigns in case of bias
Jonas Projer, who presents the new "Reporter/Arena" show together with Christa Rigozzi and supports his new colleague in the interview, shares this opinion: "I defend independence from all political and economic interest groups with all my heart and soul. Christa is the voice of the public without being corrupted," he is convinced. If Rigozzi were nevertheless biased, she would step aside - as he himself had already done once in an "Arena" program. "On a topic like over-indebtedness, I would take a close look at Christa's external commitments and her role with us, seek a discussion and then make a decision."
In the SonntagsZeitung, Rigozzi criticizes that only around ten percent of what has been written about the story in the media is true. For example, the accusation that she is using her new job to increase her own fame and thereby gain new sponsors is false: "Swiss television didn't hire me so that I could increase my fame. It hired me because I am well-known." (hae)
