OPINION

Tough questions

During his talk show «Face to Face» on Mega channel a couple of weeks ago, television interviewer Nikos Hadzinikolaou warned Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis that he was about to ask him a question that was being asked in the cafes. «People are wondering if these (suspects) are indeed the members of the November 17 terrorist organization. Where are the professors (supposed to be involved)? Where are the big shots?» One’s first thought is that one should not underestimate cafe questions. Then the thought occurs that perhaps those who don’t frequent cafes might be asking the same questions. «I’m going to ask you a tough question,» he told Foreign Minister George Papandreou on the same program. «Because we know the subject and our information is reliable.» After the commercial break, the questions (on the Cyprus plan) turned out not to be so tough, while the «reliable information» had been published in all the newspapers. As to whether questions are sharp or appropriate, this should not be something a television presenter should boast about. No doubt Mr Hadzinikolaou is an experienced and capable professional and the Mega news is among the most respected on television. However, it would be better if he had let his interlocutors judge whether his questions were «from the cafes» or «tough.»

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