Political show "Arena" with new concept
On Friday evening, "Arena" presented a completely revamped program concept. The large round table has been replaced by several small desks. The presenter also has new tools at his disposal.
New in the "Arena" are the so-called "test bench" and the "objection". A guest is invited to the test bench to have an in-depth one-on-one discussion with them, as Swiss Radio and Television SRF announced on Friday.
During this discussion, presenter Jonas Projer has the opportunity to call in two experts to clarify issues. However, the experts can also join in during the normal discussion at the touch of a button if they wish to "object" to a statement made by a guest.
SRF writes that inserts and graphics also offer the presenter the opportunity to further deepen the discussion. The appearance in terms of decor, sound and graphics has also been revised.
Objectives of the program remain unchanged
Despite all the new features, the values and objectives of the program remain unchanged, according to SRF: The discussion program should be "impartial, fair, critical and factual" and enable a substantive debate between parties, politicians and other protagonists with political positions.
The first program after the relaunch was dedicated to the topic "Marignano to Moscow - who still believes in neutrality today?". Jonas Projer's guests were National Councillor and leader of the GLP parliamentary group Tiana Angelina Moser (ZH), National Councillor and SVP parliamentary group leader Adrian Amstutz (BE), National Councillor Jakob Büchler (CVP/SG) and former Geneva SP National Councillor Jean Ziegler.
The first "Arena" show flickered across Swiss screens on August 27, 1993. The presenter was Filippo Leutenegger, who later became an FDP National Councillor and is now a Zurich City Councillor. He was followed by Patrick Rohr, Urs Leuthard, Reto Brennwald, Sonja Hasler and Urs Wiedmer, and in the second half of 2014 Jonas Projer finally became the new editorial director and presenter of "Arena". SRF had already announced the relaunch for 2015. So far, 926 editions have been broadcast. (SDA)
