Dispatches
Season 2004
TV-PG
Dispatches is the British TV current affairs documentary series on Channel 4, first transmitted in 1987. The programme covers issues about British society, politics, health, religion, international current affairs and the environment, and often features a mole inside organisations under journalistic investigation.
Where to Watch Season 2004
10 Episodes
- What Hutton Won't Tell youE1
What Hutton Won't Tell youDocumentary that takes a look at the Hutton enquiry and the intelligence used to justify the war in Iraq. Includes interviews with Larry Johnson (Counter terrorism Advisor to the Pentagon), Greg Thielmann (State Department Intelligence Bureau 2000-2002), Karen Kwiatowski (Defense Department Analyst 2000-2003), Porter Gross (Chairman, House of Representative Intelligence Committee), Richard Perle (Chairman, US Defense Policy Board), Sir Peter Lever (Chairman, Joint Intelligence Committee), Clare Short MP (International Development Secretary May 1997-May 2003), Robin Cook MP (Foreign Secretary May 1997-June 2001, Leader of the House of Commons June 2001-March 2003), Joe Wilson (Former US Ambassador), Jacques Baule (International Atom Energy Agency 1994-2004), Bernd Birkicht (UN Weapons Inspector November 2002-March 2003), Dr Glen Rangawala (Cambridge University) and Christopher Greenwood QC (Professor of International Law). - Third Class PostE2
Third Class PostDocumentary in which reporter Simon Barnes goes undercover as a postal worker and highlights serious problems of bad management, machinery problems, lack of training, workers operating skivving or overtime scams, and targetting by professional thieves and criminals after credit cards and passports. - Keep Them OutE3
Keep Them OutDocumentary on public opinion on asylum seekers, visiting Lee-on-the-Solent in southern England where the government had wanted to build a hostel to hold some four hundred asylum seekers, but met with fierce opposition from locals. Some of these from the Daedelus Action Group - a group set up to oppose any asylum seekers being moved into the area - are interviewed. People express fears of infection and crime, as well as resentment and antagonism. Others who oppose their view also talk about their fears about speaking out as some have suffered physical attack for doing so. - Fit to EatE4
Fit to EatDocumentary looking at the state of meals provided in hospitals in terms of their content and nutrition. An undercover reporter reveals unhygienic practices at a factory providing cook-chilled meals for hospital use, and serious non-adherence to regulations regarding the temperatures and quick chilling of food. - SpikedE5
SpikedInvestigation into the extent of drink spiking in Britain, whereby unsuspecting people's drinks are spiked with drugs which render them helpless to attack and rape. Includes interviews with some who have claimed to have been drugged and raped, and also with members of the public who have either suspected drink spiking incidents concerning themselves or friends. Also includes secret film of a convicted rapist spiking a woman's drink. - The Dirty Meat ScandalE6
The Dirty Meat ScandalInvestigative report on the flaws in the system which is supposed to prevent unfit or diseased meat reaching the public. Undercover reporters reveal instances of illegal and dirty meat being supplied to shops and restaurants in London and a leading meat industry figure advising clients on how to defraud Government agencies - MMR: What They Didn't Tell YouE7
MMR: What They Didn't Tell YouIn February 1998 Dr Andrew Wakefield claimed to have discovered a possible link between the MMR vaccine and autism. A global health scare ensued. This documentary investigates the scare and some of the facts that parents were not told at the time. - Profiting From Kids in CareE8
Profiting From Kids in CareUndercover investigation into residential care homes for children in Britain, many of which have now been privatised, and how they are being paid vast sums of money for often inadequate standards of care. Looks at how many of the agency staff provided are poorly trained or vetted and how non-existent services or provisions are charged for. - Barrack Room BulliesE9
Barrack Room BulliesDocumentary investigating systematic abuse of personnel within the British armed forces, including bullying, sexual humiliation and abuse, and assault. Also considers the Deepcut barracks and the deaths of four soldiers there which have led to a civilian investigation. - Living With RefugeesE10
Living With RefugeesReport on the experiences of refugees in Sudan. Documentary-maker Sorious Samura travels to the Sudan-Chad border with refugees from Dafur, experiencing their diet and walking miles across hostile terrain and their daily struggle to survive. Also reports on the lack of adequate support in spite of United Nations run camps and claims by Western governments to be assisting with the refugee problem.