CCTV: Caught on Camera, Channel 4 - TV review
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CCTV: Caught on Camera (Channel 4) sounds like one of those cheapo clip shows you find nestling between "My Neighbour the Benefit Cheat" and "50 Greatest Breakfast TV Presenters of the 80s", but is actually more thoughtful than its title suggests.
Last night's episode, for example, looked at the growth in people plastering their homes with CCTV cameras and then paying private security firms to watch their every move: in this case, Peter Rowley, a retired diamond dealer, who may have more reason than most to feel at risk from criminals.
On the subject of diamonds, director Ben Freedman had found one in Bev, the CCTV worker (what are they called? "Observers" sounds a bit grandiose) paid to watch Rowley like he was a daytime soap or the live feed from Big Brother. Bev actually suggested that "We're like his big brother really", by which she meant protective rather than sinister and Orwellian, or the Channel 5 reality show.
Bev obviously had time to philosophize: the most exciting thing that Rowley did that day was stroke a cat. "Maybe people don't want to be private any more," she pondered, and maybe she has an important point. Is social media destroying our desire to be private? Will we only feel we exist if we are being watched? Steve from Headingly didn't have time for such profundities, busy as he was recording the anti-social antics of students living over the road, posting edited "highlights" on YouTube.
This might have backfired – after all, he was offering ready-made online stardom to these rowdies – but the university authorities took notice and intervened.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments