Stefan Zweifel loses position as literature club presenter
Literary critic Stefan Zweifel has been removed as host of the program «Literaturclub.» Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) explained the decision, stating that «it would be difficult for him, as host, to bring his strengths as a sharp-witted critic to bear.».
The SRF media office confirmed an article in the Tages-Anzeiger and Bund newspapers on Wednesday, which had reported on Zweifel's dismissal. Apparently, the 46-year-old critic, who had led the show since fall 2012, was offered a position as an ordinary member of the literature club panel.
"Stefan Zweifel always stands out with his clever, original and very passionate speeches. I like his knowledge of literature and his approach to discussing literature," SRF told the news agency SDA. However, SRF would not comment on ongoing personnel discussions.
According to the Tages-Anzeiger and Bund article, Zweifel has set several conditions for a return as a regular literary club critic - a role he already held from 2007 to 2012. One of them concerns the dispute Zweifel had with his colleague Elke Heidenreich on the show on April 22. The two came to blows over an alleged quote from German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) that Heidenreich had introduced. Zweifel requested a statement from the editorial team. However, SRF has now stated that it will "not take up this dispute retrospectively". (SDA)
