Benefits Street: stars of C4 series get death threats
Residents say TV company 'tricked' them into appearing in show that makes them look like 'spongers'

CHANNEL FOUR has been accused of "hate mongering" after the participants in its new documentary series Benefits Street received death threats on social media.
The first episode of the five-part series went to air last night, introducing viewers to some of the residents of Birmingham's James Turner Street. Some of those who took part are outraged by the programme, which they say makes them out to be "anti-social benefit scroungers, irresponsible parents, drug takers and foul-mouthed wasters", the Birmingham Mail reports.
The residents say Channel 4 producers "tricked" them into appearing on the programme with assurances the series would be about "neighbourly togetherness and community spirit".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Instead, Benefits Street portrays them as "Britain's worst state spongers", the Birmingham Mail says. The result was a social media backlash that saw them threatened with violence and labelled "scum". One Twitter user threatened: "I want to walk down #BenefitsStreet with a baseball bat and brain a few of these scumbags."
The Mail says West Midlands Police will investigate some of the threats made online. But its officers will also "investigate any criminality which may have been committed [by the show's participants] in front of the camera", the paper says.
Benefits street. .absolutely shocking. Just hope mr Cameron is watching the scum — Three Wise Monkeys (@andy1papa) January 7, 2014
The Mail says some of the programme participants have also accused the production company behind the series, Love Productions, of "recording and broadcasting private phone calls without permission and are now considering legal action".
Dee Roberts, a qualified mentor and support worker, who makes frequent appearances in the series, told the paper: "They said that 'Britain was broken' but that I lived in an area where the community was very close. I participated in the show on that belief."
A Channel 4 spokesman told the Daily Mirror: "This is a fair and balanced observational documentary series. It is a fair reflection of the reality of life on a street where the majority of households receive benefits."
#BenefitsStreet: Another victory for anti-scrounger propaganda? Lynn blogs http://t.co/5tkEx5Ys5Y — SCVO (@scvotweet) January 7, 2014
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Zack Polanski: the 'eco-populist' running for Green Party leader
In The Spotlight 'Insurgent' party deputy is making a bid to take the Greens further to the left
-
Do smartphone bans in schools work?
The Explainer Trials in UK, New Zealand, France and the US found prohibition may be only part of the solution
-
Doom: The Dark Ages – an 'exhilarating' prequel
The Week Recommends Legendary shooter adds new combat options from timed parries to melee attacks and a 'particularly satisfying' shield charge
-
The Hollyoaks time jump and the future of British soaps
In the Spotlight Loss of nearly a third of cast and crew on Channel 4 show shows how beleaguered TV industry needs to 'reinvent' itself
-
Naked Education: Channel 4 causes stir with nude show for teens
Speed Read Controversial programme uses ‘body positive’ naked adults to tackle insecurities among young people
-
Somewhere Boy: a gripping ‘fairy tale for our times’
The Week Recommends Stick with Channel 4’s ‘ambitious’ new drama – it’s worth it
-
Nadine Dorries and the ‘fake’ Channel 4 show
feature Commons committee condemns former culture minister for ‘groundless’ claims about reality TV programme featuring MPs
-
Channel 4 privatisation to be re-examined
Speed Read New culture secretary to review ‘business case’ for controversial sell-off in possible U-turn
-
The Great British Bake Off’s most memorable moments
In the Spotlight Show returns to Channel 4 next week with 12 bakers ready to take on the challenge
-
Eight exciting new TV shows to watch out for this summer
In Depth We can’t go on holiday and the weather is bleak - but at least we have some great telly to look forward to
-
Who are the remaining 2019 Shipwrecked contestants?
In Depth One of the UK’s first ever reality TV shows concludes this Friday