‘You Need to Know People for Guest Research’
Franziska Jünger vets the guests for the political talk show ‘hart aber fair’. The task is challenging when “ordinary citizens” are invited onto the show, says Jünger. Expressing an opinion on the phone is different from speaking in front of an audience of millions. She has a very special tip for starting out in this job.
Werksgelände: What do you actually do as a political talk show editor for ‘hart aber fair’?
Franziska Jünger: My work focuses on researching and vetting guests and topics. In my team, we research relevant topics for the talk show and ask various cohorts to be guests on our program. These include politicians, experts from various fields- such as science and business, and also ordinary citizens. We then conduct preliminary discussions and briefings for the program with these potential guests or their press offices. We write dossiers on the guests for the presenter and colleagues and are in contact with the authors of the show who prepare the content for the program. And in the end, of course, we also take part in the live broadcast – accompanying the guests through the entire process.
What experience or talents should you have for the job?
You should be interested and curious about political and social issues and have a feel for what is worth talking about so that you can discuss it on television in an entertaining and controversial way for viewers. Of course, you also need research skills and a certain knowledge of human nature.
What appeals to you about your job?
Every week is different, the familiarization with new topics, and conversations with interesting people.
We carefully check whether people have the necessary self-confidence to stand up for their opinions in a live situation.
- Franziska Jünger
What are the biggest challenges in your job?
It is always a challenge when we invite people who are not used to being in the public eye – ‘normal citizens’ who regularly take part in discussions on ‘hart aber fair’. A lot of care needs to be taken with the ‘casting’ and preparation. We therefore carefully check whether people have the necessary self-confidence to stand up for their opinion and position in a live situation and perform well on the program. After all, it’s different to be opinionated on the phone than to debate with professionals in front of an audience of millions on television. And that requires experience and knowledge of human nature. In addition, it is of course a challenge to find a competent, controversial and, in the best case, diverse mix of guests every week.
What has been your biggest flop on the job so far, and what have you learnt from it?
As an author, I once wrote a line for the show that made my stomach turn, but I decided to leave it in because that was what I was going for during the acceptance process. After the airing of the program, there were a few complaints from viewers. I learned from this that I should trust my instincts and, even more, my research- and also defend these to my superiors.
Franziska’s tips for the next generation
Unsurprisingly, do internships and try out different things – as many as time and money permit. The media world is so diverse that you first have to find out what really suits and excites you. And: take initiative in finding opportunities; many jobs, whether internships or freelance work, are often not explicitly advertised.
Franziska Jünger
… works at the production company Ansager & Schnipselmann. As a political talk editor, she is part of the team that produces the ARD talk program hart aber fair. The talk program addresses current controversial topics that are discussed by guests from politics, business, science and society. The guests‘ statements are put to the test: during the program through well-researched clips and after the program in a fact check.
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