Dispatches
Season 2020
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 2020
19 Episodes
- The Secrets of Big Tobacco: Has Philip Morris International Really Given Up Smoking?
E1The Secrets of Big Tobacco: Has Philip Morris International Really Given Up Smoking?More than a decade has passed since major tobacco companies were found to have misled the public over the dangers of smoking. Now, one of the largest firms has said it wants a smoke-free future and offers so-called reduced-risk alternatives. Jane Moore examines Philip Morris International's campaign and investigates attempts to promote the brand in the UK, while billions of cigarettes continue to be sold across the world. - Starbucks & Nespresso: The Truth About Your CoffeeE2
Starbucks & Nespresso: The Truth About Your CoffeeAs Britain has grown into a nation of coffee lovers, Starbucks and Nespresso have become two of the world's biggest coffee brands. They have revolutionised what people drink and how they consume it. On the back of their success, both firms make bold claims about how their beans are ethically sourced and, in particular, that child labour is not used in their supply chains. But in this investigation, Dispatches travelled to Guatemala and discovered young children working long hours in gruelling conditions to pick coffee beans that supply these two coffee giants. Reporter Antony Barnett hears how a day's work can earn the children little more than the price of a Starbucks latte or a pack of Nespresso pods. - Celebs for Sale: The Great Charity ScandalE3
Celebs for Sale: The Great Charity ScandalReporter Antony Barnett sets up a fake charity and goes undercover to reveal how some of the most famous people in Britain are profiting from the fundraising work they do, such as posting on social media and appearing at events. Big-name stars from the worlds of reality TV, sport and entertainment, and one of the most famous women in the world, all agree to back the fake charity in return for cash. - Britain's Train HellE4
Britain's Train HellDespite rising fares, millions of rail commuters suffer daily from delays and overcrowding. The Government wants to spend billions on new infrastructure, particularly in the north of England with HS2, but the new high-speed supertrain won't arrive until 2040. In the meantime, Liam Halligan asks how the rail network can be fixed. - Sex, Money & Power: The Dirty Secrets of DavosE5
Sex, Money & Power: The Dirty Secrets of DavosThe World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, likes to think of itself as the premier global event for politicians, business leaders and celebrities to put the world to rights. It proudly boasts of a commitment to the empowerment of women. But what's the reality? Cate Brown investigates allegations of sexism, harassment and even sex workers operating during the WEF, with undercover reporters infiltrating the event, as well as testimonies from female visitors who are fed up of their treatment by men. - Coronavirus: Can Our NHS Cope?E6
Coronavirus: Can Our NHS Cope?A&E doctor Saleyha Ahsan looks at the pressing questions many are now asking about the health service, including bed capacity, vital equipment such as ventilators, the number of nurses and protection of NHS workers. Dr Ahsan also examines the impact on the many thousands across the country who now face delays in receiving regular treatment and operations. - The Truth About Traveller CrimeE8
The Truth About Traveller CrimeAnja Popp goes in search of the truth about crimes linked to traveller sites. She talks to members of the public who have experienced crime waves and intimidation, goes out on patrol with police dealing with rural incidents and hears from travellers and their advocates, who say they suffer prejudice and attack. - Dirty Secrets of American Food: Coming to a Supermarket Near You?E10
Dirty Secrets of American Food: Coming to a Supermarket Near You?Morland Sanders investigates the American food that could be coming to Britain soon as part of a post-Brexit trade deal. with exclusive lab results revealing levels of dangerous bacteria on US supermarket meat. He looks at the widespread use of pesticides and hormones currently banned in the UK, and uncovers animal welfare concerns and declining hygiene standards in American food production, as well as fears the deal could harm the British farming industry. - Trump's Coronavirus CatastropheE11
Trump's Coronavirus CatastropheMatt Frei investigates the president's policies, actions and decisions during the pandemic, which has cost more than 200,000 American lives. There are revelations gathered from months of conversations with White House advisers and insiders, whistle-blowers, politicians who have worked with Trump and leading US scientists, as well as loyal Trump supporters. - American Nightmare: Trump's Breadline KidsE13
American Nightmare: Trump's Breadline KidsAhead of the US elections, this documentary follows three children and their families in the battleground state of Ohio, where the Covid-19 pandemic has intensified their struggle to stay afloat. As the US also reckons with issues of race and racism, the youngsters share their worries and hopes about their futures. - Is Your Online Habit Killing the Planet?E16
Is Your Online Habit Killing the Planet?In the month when the worlds' leaders should have been gathering in Glasgow to tackle global warming, Sophie Morgan investigates the carbon footprint of the technology industry and tests some of the environmental claims of some of the biggest names in the tech world. She also recruits two families to keep a diary of their online habits and together they discover some shocking truths about the hidden cost of their online habits. - Lockdown Chaos: How the Government Lost ControlE17
Lockdown Chaos: How the Government Lost ControlIn July, the Prime Minister said he hoped life would be normal again by Christmas, but now most of the UK is under lockdown. What happened? Antony Barnett investigates the second wave of Covid-19, looking at how the government lost control and revealing new evidence about companies making millions from the pandemic. - Coronavirus Vaccine: Is It Safe?E18
Coronavirus Vaccine: Is It Safe?The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the coronavirus vaccine. But how have we managed to get a vaccine so quickly and just how safe is it? What do we know about possible long-term side effects and which vaccine is the safest and most effective to take? In a Dispatches special, Matt Frei looks at the vaccines and asks whether this is the shot in the arm to get Britain moving again. - Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes?E19
Deep Fakes: Can You Trust Your Eyes?Morland Sanders shines a light on tech’s dark side, investigating the world of fake internet videos and the effect they have on the lives of celebrities, ordinary people, and even whole nations. From embarrassing famous figures and influencing elections the reporter asks how these fake videos and images have changed the world, meets people whose lives have been made a misery by such fakes, and learns not to be fooled into believing everything you see. New figures obtained by Dispatches reveal the number of deep fake videos online grew by more than double in 2020 – and Britain is a top target.