Broaching the topic of social taboos is no easy task, especially in our conservative Eastern society. It takes both courage and professionalism to bring them to light. Zaven Kouyoumdjian, 35, the Lebanese author, anchor and producer of the talk show “Sireh Wo Infatahit” (An Open Discussion), has broken down the traditional barriers and transformed the talk-show format in the Middle East.
Famous for his laptop computer, Zaven has blazed a new trail for talk shows on Arab television. He explores sensitive, everyday issues by interviewing people affected by them. In a survey conducted by Zahrat Al-Khaleej magazine, Zaven was rated as the No. 1 Arab TV presenter and his program “Sireh Wo Infatahit,” which airs live Mondays on Future satellite TV, was ranked as the most popular Arabic program for 2004-2005. He also was ranked among the 20 most enlightening artists and media personalities of 2005 by Al-Riyadh newspaper.
Born in Beirut in 1970 to an Armenian father and Arabic mother, Zaven’s Arabic was weak, but he pursued a major in Journalism and TV production at the Lebanese American University (LAU) and graduated in 1992. The same year, he started working as a reporter for Tele Liban TV (TL) and became TL’s news correspondent at the Presidential Palace.
He then started his first show in the following year, 1993, through the monthly roundup “30/31,” where he discussedmajor news stories of the month. After joining a Reuters Foundation training program in London, Washington and Toronto, he started his first weekly talk show “5/7” on the same channel.
After a show on poverty and unemployment, Zaven was banned on TL in 1999. He came back to his viewers on Future TV seven months later through his popular talk show ‘Sireh Wo Infatahit’, which is aired weekly live since then.
“‘Sireh Wo Infatahit’ is my idea,” Zaven said. “I chose to discuss social issues because they concern all people.”
As a producer, he selects practical issues that affect people’s daily lives. On each show, Zaven plays host to professionals who will enrich viewers with accurate information and personal experiences.
Among the more than 350 shows Zaven has produced, his program has explored many issues, including education, the Internet, sexuality, beauty and teenagers. He has also looked into major events of the Lebanese political scene and discussed major events that happened in the Lebanese political life — but from the human perspective.
Zaven brings the true stories of people to life. During one of his shows titled “The Girls’ Future,” a young man approached him and told him of a crime that occurred earlier that day. The young man maintained his innocence of killing his ex-brother-in-law with whom he had problems. He told Zaven he didn’t know what to do and blamed alcohol for the crime. Zaven urged the man to surrender to police and let them investigate the matter. During a commercial break, police took the man into custody.
Viewers of ‘Sireh Wo Infatahit’ are invited to voice their views on the day’s topic.
“I felt that I would be more successful in discussing social issues which concerns more viewers plus that, I got bored of politics,” Zaven said. “I pick the ideas for each show from things that I go through in my daily life... Ideas also come from friends and e-mails. People I meet on the street sometimes suggest ideas to be discussed on my program.”
In addition to his broadcast successes, Zaven also authored the best-selling book “Lebanon Shot Twice” in 2003. The book traces the consequences of Lebanese Civil War with photos showing Lebanon during and after the devastating conflict.
With youthful spirit, Zaven and ‘Sireh Wo Infatahit’ continue to attract attention, especially youth who also get their chance to express their thoughts and chat about the issues discussed in the program on the website www.zavenonline.com.