For years, “Hart aber fair” has been an integral part of the German television landscape. The show is particularly convincing due to the sensitive topics it deals with and the heated discussions that result from them.
“Hart aber fair” is a weekly political talk show that has been broadcast since January 31, 2001 and is currently hosted by Louis Klamroth. The show, which airs every Monday evening on ARD, deals with controversial topics and offers a forum for open and often heated discussions.
The basic idea of the program is to present and discuss different points of view on a current topic. In addition to politicians, experts, representatives of organizations and people directly affected also take part in order to reflect a broad spectrum of opinions. The discussions are supplemented by short feature films that provide additional information, statistics and interviews.
Frank Plasberg was the presenter of the show from its inception until January 2023. Since then, Louis Klamroth has taken over the moderation. Although the new presenter has brought a breath of fresh air to the show, the tried and tested concept has largely been retained. The show is broadcast live from Cologne or Berlin, with the Berlin location being preferred due to its proximity to the federal government.
The guests on “hart aber fair” are made up of a diverse group of people to represent a wide range of opinions and expertise. Here are the main groups and some examples of typical guests:
A unique feature of “hard but fair” is the active involvement of viewers. Before and during the broadcast, viewers can submit their opinions and comments by phone, email or social media. These viewer reactions are then presented by a co-moderator during the broadcast and integrated into the discussion. After the broadcast, a fact check is published that checks the accuracy of the statements made during the discussion.
The topics of the program cover a wide spectrum, from domestic political issues to economic and social topics and international affairs. A current example is the discussion about the reform of the citizen’s income and the positions of the various parties on this. Such topics regularly generate lively discussions and high viewer numbers.
“Hart aber fair” is valued for its in-depth and often controversial discussions. The show has established itself as an important platform for political debates in Germany and contributes to the formation of public opinion. However, there is also criticism, particularly regarding the selection of guests and the topics, which are sometimes perceived as one-sided.