Jaafar Abdul Karim’s award-winning TV show "Shababtalk" is described by his viewers as daring, unbiased and outspoken on the sensitive issues in the Arab world, such as rights, corruption, refugees, religion and sex. The interactive talk show, which is broadcast on Deutsche Welle-Arabia every Tuesday, gives a voice to Arab youth and is watched by millions, according to DW.

“The show started in 2011, after the so-called Arab Spring, when young people in the Middle East were eager to speak out and express their opinions about politics, social change and the economic situation of their country,” Abdul Karim told Al-Monitor. “They wanted to be part of that change. They needed to be heard and respected. That’s what made us at DW start 'Shababtalk.'”

The 36-year-old journalist said that the aim of the program was to speak with people and not about them. The shows were shot in Berlin until 2015, with an Arabic-speaking audience present. Since then, Abdul Karim has been producing shows in Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia, Qatar, Sudan, Libya, Iraq and Mauritania.

Producing shows in these countries has not always been easy. “In every country we visit, we encounter difficulties and try to overcome them. But we never accept to waive our standards because we are very keen on having a credible voice,” said Abdul Karim, explaining that they always make sure that different views to the same question are presented in his shows.