ZDF's Summer Interviews Under Scrutiny: Weidel Invited, Danger Dan Excluded

The German weekly newspaper 'der Freitag' published a commentary on the tradition of summer interviews with politicians on public broadcasters ARD and ZDF. The piece, written by Benny K., questions the value of these interviews, noting that they rarely produce substantive content beyond standard talking points. The author highlights a contrast: Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right AfD party, was invited to the ZDF summer interview, while the musician Danger Dan's song was not featured on the satirical show 'Die Anstalt'. This discrepancy raises questions about the editorial choices at ZDF. The commentary also mentions a person who 'drums for communism' and the reading of novels set in big cities, but these references are not elaborated. The piece reflects a broader critique of the format's news value and its role in German media culture. The author expresses a personal ambivalence towards the format, acknowledging its role as a constant in German television, especially in the absence of other staple programs like sports shows or crime series. The commentary is part of 'der Freitag's daily news review.