Identifying professional criteria in talk shows with emphasis on the “HardTalk” program of Channel 3, of Iranian state TV (IRIB)

In this study, the professional criteria for the production and broadcasting of dialogue-based programs on how to represent the messages and techniques used in a TV talk show, has been reviewed. The Hard Talk program is the focus of this research because of its tough TV talk approach. In this research work, nine parts of the HardTalk program were evaluated in a categorical manner in qualitative content analysis, as well as qualitative data obtained from interviews with experts and media activists of television programs. Focusing on challenging cultural issues in a Hard Talk program takes precedence over other issues, which in many cases can be extended to political areas and this depicts the connection between cultural issues and politics in Iran. In the HardTalk program, which introduces a challenging and difficult topic for dialogue, an open and transparent approach is needed. In order to advance transparency, the approach in talk-based programs, while IRIB is faced with serious local and foreign competitors, needs to review and reconsider the vague and various and different red lines in the preparation and broadcast of challenging and problematic programs. The ideal reflection of dialogue-based programs and convincing elite audiences, which are a kind of intellectual reference for other social classes, can even to a minimal extent, facilitate persuasion of the general audience.