Ard Kontraste

Editorial tone

Critical, high-contrast, provocative. Kontraste confronts political claims with reality — hence the name. Undercover investigations, scandal exposure, contrasting perspectives. Berlin directness and edge. The viewer should see the gap between promise and reality.

What this format covers

• ●Capital politics and federal politics — behind the scenes
• ●Scandals and abuses in politics and administration
• ●Berlin and Brandenburg: regional power structures
• ●Undercover investigations and exposure of hidden networks
• ●Right-wing extremism and threats to democracy in eastern Germany
• ●Economic scandals with political dimension
• ●Security policy and intelligence services

What this format does NOT want

• ●Soft reportage or portraits
• ●Entertainment formats
• ●Natural history documentaries
• ●Historical documentaries without contemporary political relevance
• ●Topics without investigative core
• ●Cultural topics without political relevance

Visual expectations

Magazine aesthetic with investigative character. Hidden camera, anonymized sources, documents and files as evidence. Contrast montages: politician statements vs. reality. On-camera interviews with those affected and those responsible. Confrontational interviews.

Expected exposé structure

1. Working title (provocative, contrasting)
2. Thesis / central revelation in 2–3 sentences
3. Investigation findings and evidence
4. Protagonists / those affected / those responsible
5. Planned confrontations and on-camera interviews
6. Author, contact

Example productions

• Kontraste: Rechte Netzwerke in Ostdeutschland
• Kontraste: Berliner Clan-Strukturen
• Kontraste: Geheime Absprachen im Bundestag
• Kontraste: Polizeiskandal Brandenburg