Is it just me or does Charlie just sound depressed and disgusted by how the news treated the McCann story, as if he can’t even bring himself to make jokes about it, it’s so bad. Makes it more powerful.
Charlie Brooker is brilliant as a comedian and satirist, and this piece shows why. He's not afraid to not play purely for laughs, and actually show some sensitivity on a piece
The whole response to the McCannns case was disgusting. Loosing a child must’ve been devastating for the parents, and having thousands of reporters harassing them for information and some even suspecting them must’ve been hell. And, the truth is, practically none of those reporters cared. All they wanted is a juicy story for the tabloids that would sell lots of copies and would get their readers something interesting to read, so that their readers can become invested into a story that they had no right to be involved in. Because, in the end, the reporters weren’t interested in seeing the truth unfolded, they only wanted something interesting to give intrigue to their boring, miserable lives. It was a morbid fascination. That’s why we still see articles nowadays about cases like this: to keep interest, to keep intrigue. Because that morbid fascination brings in readers and money. It’s the same reason horror films are constantly made.
This segment of Screenwipe illustrated just how harsh the media were to the MCanns and i think is one of the most upsetting and disturbing things i have seen on TV this year. Well done Mr Brooker for illuminating how the media hounded these poor people.
What I find in this video is that for once Charlie Brroker isnt being comical, hes being deadly serious for once which is something that I deeply appreciate
I try to catch Screenwipe whenever I can, Brooker just nails it every bloody time. The last edition I watched he did a spot exploring the idea that the news media is being replaced by biased, PR companies who slant the news in one favourable direction, and it really made me think. Given how the BBC is covering the Binyam Mohammed "torture" case right now without even bothering to cover the charges he faces, and without even challenging him on his story, I'm starting to think he was right.
It's impossible to make news entertaining. It should be as high quality as possible, and we just need to do our best to make people who think it's too dull to watch feel ashamed of themselves.
The rolling news focus on the McCanns had a bizarre effect that Brooker doesn't mention. I remember the McCanns' plane landing as being some kind of Significant Event, simply because there was so much mention of it. How odd that by simply over-representing stories like this, the news managed to manufacture its own significance IN MY HEAD, so I remember thinking "oooh, they've landed, what next" as if it really fricking mattered.
@sulijoo your right but its strangely hypnotic, watching the same items repeated every 10mins, it must drive the journos barmey, with there fixed smiles and forced banter give me shift down the mines anyday. :O
Charlie Brooker just says what so many of the rest of us are thinking. That's why he's so brilliant. And it speaks volumes as to why most of the rest of the media are just shit.
I was 6 when this was going on and even then I was disgusted by how much the news were sensationalizing this. Just felt wrong the way people were talking about such a tragic event as if it was hot gossip.
"mef gurtle speg speg LOL nnnrg:) :) ;)" For me makes roughly the same amount of sense as most youtube comments. "I think generic comments are great" "I agree" "shut up" "you shut up" "I'm an American" "shut up"
You know what really pisses me off about this? Sky News is STILL reporting on it. Every 15 seconds there seems to be a mention of McCann on that scrolling text banner. No kidding, you can play a game by timing how long it takes for Sky to mention McCann from when you first turn the channel on. I bet you'll never get over a minute. Sky News is so god awfully bad. But the other rolling news stations aren't much better.
when i was a young girl I had a wart on my right hand, in the place commonly referred to as "mars negative" now i was a girl, and i didnt have any war arts at all but apparently i needed one.
I did apologise for it being a pedantic remark (though someone decided it was worth dissapproving anyway). Again, I see what you are trying to do however deliberately obtuse gramma in reply does not infer your first error was deliberate.
i think its disgusting how much media attetion this got and how the parents werent blamed for leaving dam kid in the first place, shes not first kid to go missing yet the media went mad for this story
@stormer55 lol really? It's sad because someone doesn't watch news? What kind of bizarre world do you live in where the definition of sad is someone not watching news?
this is this whole thing where i alone of nearly all my freinds don't have a baby. i went out of my way so i didn't by accident. i keep looking out of the metaphorical window: "can i inflict this world and my life on the innocent yet?" no. i can't justify it.
Oh, superb. I'm glad you're so enamoured with your own grandiose and self-satisfied waffle; I suppose if you're going to be a pompous arse, you might as well enjoy it. Congratulations.
I hate rolling news. I hate it because the BBC in particular thinks you should just have 4 items of news and repeat them ad nauseam for 24 hours. Even when there's a breaking story they can't be bothered to get any new info so instead repeat the same video, the same reports over and over. It's really amateurish and lazy. If they don't know something they should just say so; endless speculation and tedious interviews with "experts" are not a suitable replacement for real news-gathering.
Hmmm... To be honest I was a bit dissappointed with your put down there ZdPhoenix me old china. It's a bit flat, it doesn't really work for me. You could have gone for the jugular and made me feel inferior or insulted my religion, cast aspersions over my sexuality - but no you're still straining at the old pompous arse angle. Come on ZdPhoenix give it another shot I'm waiting to be offended lay it on me....
![ความรักไม่ได้น่ากลัวขนาดนั้น (TRUST ME) - LYKN [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9np-lAtCRpQ/mqdefault.jpg)
"This wasn't news. This was just looking at stuff"
Everyone needs to see this.
Charlie Brooker is a genius. His humour is so cynical and sarcastic and so true, god i love it.
Is it just me or does Charlie just sound depressed and disgusted by how the news treated the McCann story, as if he can’t even bring himself to make jokes about it, it’s so bad. Makes it more powerful.
"and some of them have satellite uplinks"
Sadly a precise description of the situation. Terrible example of the media milking a sad situation.
Charlie was a writer for the infamous Brass Eye special.
This is possibly the best piece of Screenwipe.
The comments about the media coverage of the sad McCann case is spot on.
Couldn't agree more, he is the voice of reason in all this news. Can't wait for the new series of newswipe.
Brooker rules! Gotta love his rants!
"And some have got satellite link-ups." The guy's a genius.
Charlie Brooker is brilliant as a comedian and satirist, and this piece shows why. He's not afraid to not play purely for laughs, and actually show some sensitivity on a piece
4:27 ehehehe AHAHAHAH!
The whole response to the McCannns case was disgusting. Loosing a child must’ve been devastating for the parents, and having thousands of reporters harassing them for information and some even suspecting them must’ve been hell. And, the truth is, practically none of those reporters cared. All they wanted is a juicy story for the tabloids that would sell lots of copies and would get their readers something interesting to read, so that their readers can become invested into a story that they had no right to be involved in. Because, in the end, the reporters weren’t interested in seeing the truth unfolded, they only wanted something interesting to give intrigue to their boring, miserable lives. It was a morbid fascination. That’s why we still see articles nowadays about cases like this: to keep interest, to keep intrigue. Because that morbid fascination brings in readers and money. It’s the same reason horror films are constantly made.
This segment of Screenwipe illustrated just how harsh the media were to the MCanns and i think is one of the most upsetting and disturbing things i have seen on TV this year. Well done Mr Brooker for illuminating how the media hounded these poor people.
I agree...Charlie Brooker is an unopened parcel of genius...Needs more airtime...his tv quiz show on Channel 4 is awesome too
Absolutely true! The state of news reporting today is a joke!
quite brilliant
This is too true.
"...and some of them have satellite-link-ups..."
What I find in this video is that for once Charlie Brroker isnt being comical, hes being deadly serious for once which is something that I deeply appreciate
haha, mate, you made my day :P comical stuff!
why does this show always play good music? its surreal. music is johann johannson IBM 1401
5:58 is the kind of shit I expected to only ever see on Brass Eye
Totally nail on the head
Seconded -- great stuff!
I try to catch Screenwipe whenever I can, Brooker just nails it every bloody time. The last edition I watched he did a spot exploring the idea that the news media is being replaced by biased, PR companies who slant the news in one favourable direction, and it really made me think. Given how the BBC is covering the Binyam Mohammed "torture" case right now without even bothering to cover the charges he faces, and without even challenging him on his story, I'm starting to think he was right.
i never watch sport and i NEVER watch news but i will happily watch CB ranting about both :D
Charlie Brooker = win
It's like the song goes - Charlie Brooker is right about everything, Charlie Brooker is never in the wrong.
It's impossible to make news entertaining. It should be as high quality as possible, and we just need to do our best to make people who think it's too dull to watch feel ashamed of themselves.
Why do I keep getting Chinese adverts before the video? I don't even live in China.
The rolling news focus on the McCanns had a bizarre effect that Brooker doesn't mention. I remember the McCanns' plane landing as being some kind of Significant Event, simply because there was so much mention of it. How odd that by simply over-representing stories like this, the news managed to manufacture its own significance IN MY HEAD, so I remember thinking "oooh, they've landed, what next" as if it really fricking mattered.
I never subscribe to jack shit but this guy is good enough to make me want to hit that subscribe button and so i will - great stuff boss!
you should like it, its charlie brooker pointing out they are vultures :)
@sulijoo your right but its strangely hypnotic, watching the same items repeated every 10mins, it must drive the journos barmey, with there fixed smiles and forced banter give me shift down the mines anyday. :O
Charlie Brooker just says what so many of the rest of us are thinking. That's why he's so brilliant. And it speaks volumes as to why most of the rest of the media are just shit.
hahaha love it
always feel like charlie doesnt fit in when he takes part in panel shows
purely 'cause he's so undiluted compared to most comedians
The Day Today was Chris Morris' creation.
Thumbs up if you'd like news reports with hand crafted dioramas again!
3:39 Classic.
This got relevant again
ok, ok, it's gone far enough now why don't we all agree to agree with me?
Look!
@5:10 *WOAH*, did somebody say "Yemen"?
(commenting in January 2024 -- more than 15 years later)
This is insane. This makes the media here in America seem like See It Now w/ Edward R. Murrow.
"and some of them got satellite linkups" lol:):)
The Mccann story provided a nice safe distraction from the slaughter in Iraq.
I was 6 when this was going on and even then I was disgusted by how much the news were sensationalizing this. Just felt wrong the way people were talking about such a tragic event as if it was hot gossip.
whats the song/tune that begins at 3.17 ??
Poor people!!
So, the 7 Ws are:
What
Where
When
Why
Who
How
WOAH
Hang on, I need to write this down.
@ohdoshutit thats quite sad that you dont watch any news..
what's the song in the background?
If you mean the song at the beginning, it's IBM 1401 Processing Unit - Johann Johannsson
@jer5876 Its funny how Charlie Brooker is generally, and always, correct about the issues he discusses haha.
aww gawd he's kinda funny - he needs to team up with Chris Morris NOW.
I remember the madeleine mccann Story. Then the media forgot all about her.
That hellicopter shit cracked me up. Is that real?
whats the tune in the background???
If you mean the song at the beginning, it's IBM 1401 Processing Unit - Johann Johannsson
Keep looking and stop thinking...
there might be some people who are holding their children out of school because they're severely developmentally delayed. That's not the same thing
@QueenBonesofdarkness they didn't want the privacy, they love the whole media attention....
hahaha HAHAHA
2:19
He's obviously not focusing on the suspect.
"mef gurtle speg speg LOL nnnrg:) :) ;)"
For me makes roughly the same amount of sense as most youtube comments.
"I think generic comments are great"
"I agree"
"shut up"
"you shut up"
"I'm an American"
"shut up"
@QueenBonesofdarkness its called acting up
@iamthegun I think he'd love to turn it off if it wasn't his job, which looks like hard bloody work if you ask me...
nice bit of johan johannsen in the background!
LOOK
I don't think I've seen a bad bit of brooker...
Charlie Brooker was a writer on Brass Eye, y'know...
God I hate scrolling news.
It makes me genuinely sad that our society has come to this.
You know what really pisses me off about this?
Sky News is STILL reporting on it. Every 15 seconds there seems to be a mention of McCann on that scrolling text banner. No kidding, you can play a game by timing how long it takes for Sky to mention McCann from when you first turn the channel on. I bet you'll never get over a minute.
Sky News is so god awfully bad. But the other rolling news stations aren't much better.
Go to xthemusic's channel he the man
It's funny coz it's true! Brooker rocks.
when i was a young girl I had a wart on my right hand, in the place commonly referred to as "mars negative" now i was a girl, and i didnt have any war arts at all but apparently i needed one.
there's a worring almost voyeuristic problem in modern rolling news reporting
I did apologise for it being a pedantic remark (though someone decided it was worth dissapproving anyway). Again, I see what you are trying to do however deliberately obtuse gramma in reply does not infer your first error was deliberate.
i think its disgusting how much media attetion this got and how the parents werent blamed for leaving dam kid in the first place, shes not first kid to go missing yet the media went mad for this story
@stormer55 lol really? It's sad because someone doesn't watch news? What kind of bizarre world do you live in where the definition of sad is someone not watching news?
Lol biggest media circlejerk
bollocks to sport!
OMG Save me from the Kally Anthony story. Every day. bleh
this is this whole thing where i alone of nearly all my freinds don't have a baby. i went out of my way so i didn't by accident. i keep looking out of the metaphorical window: "can i inflict this world and my life on the innocent yet?" no. i can't justify it.
Just a quick note, how would we want news to be like. Everybody please do destroy the comments section.
he had bad teeth for a fifteen year old didn't he? i'm on a watch to spot Cullen vampire types.
Oh, superb. I'm glad you're so enamoured with your own grandiose and self-satisfied waffle; I suppose if you're going to be a pompous arse, you might as well enjoy it. Congratulations.
Of all the god awful spelling and grammar on TH-cam, you choose to nitpick that? Madness.
I hate rolling news. I hate it because the BBC in particular thinks you should just have 4 items of news and repeat them ad nauseam for 24 hours. Even when there's a breaking story they can't be bothered to get any new info so instead repeat the same video, the same reports over and over. It's really amateurish and lazy. If they don't know something they should just say so; endless speculation and tedious interviews with "experts" are not a suitable replacement for real news-gathering.
i can't call it, i'm not a police officer: i can tell you though: that child looks ill in that press picture.
Hmmm... To be honest I was a bit dissappointed with your put down there ZdPhoenix me old china. It's a bit flat, it doesn't really work for me. You could have gone for the jugular and made me feel inferior or insulted my religion, cast aspersions over my sexuality - but no you're still straining at the old pompous arse angle. Come on ZdPhoenix give it another shot I'm waiting to be offended lay it on me....