Doha: Award-winning British journalist Mehdi Hasan (pictured) will host a new weekly current affairs show on Al Jazeera English from September 4. UpFront will be broadcast from Al Jazeera’s new studio in Washington DC on Fridays at 19.30 GMT.
Taking on Hasan’s successful and rigorous style of interviewing, showcased on Al Jazeera’s flagship one-on-one interview series Head to Head, the new programme will ask questions that often get left behind.
It will give a refreshing perspective on the week’s news through sharp interviews, vigorous debates and political satire.
UpFront will set its agenda and develop in-depth global topics over 25 minutes of news and current affairs, setting itself apart from weekly review shows. Anchored by Al Jazeera’s global perspective, UpFront will have high-profile guests and will give space to provocative, inquisitive and robust Hasan.
He said: “I’m incredibly excited to be launching UpFront in September, asking questions our viewers across the globe want to hear asked and answered. Interviews, debates, explainers, and more, we’ll aim to deliver them all. It’ll be a challenge. And, I hope, a weekly adventure.”
Giles Trendle, Acting Managing Director of the channel, said: “The challenging, dynamic and provocative weekly review shows will surprise and inspire viewers, as Mehdi challenges guest after guest to reveal stories behind the story. The shows will be rigorously intellectual and unashamedly forensic.”
UpFront will feature hard-hitting segments to deliver key ideas and house high-level debates, including:
The Headliner: A one-on-one interview with some of the biggest global political and cultural figures of our time. Hasan will challenge the guest, seek answers to key questions and highlight vital issues.
Reality Check: A powerful two-minute segment illustrated with innovative graphics, busting myths that constantly permeate mainstream media, cutting through the spin to reveal what really matters.
The Arena: Voices from across the world confront, debate and share ideas in the global forum moderated by Hasan. Unashamedly adversarial, it features two guests tackling the crucial topic of the week.
UpFront will be repeated on Saturdays at 14:30 GMT, Sundays at 04:30 GMT and Mondays at 08:30 GMT, from September 4 to November 20.
Its episodes will also be freely available online after broadcast. Visit aljazeera.com/programmes/upfront for details.
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