“The Media Show” on BBC Radio 4

Is Charlie Brooker Concerned About Pushing Boundaries in Black Mirror?

Charlie Brooker, the creator of the dystopian TV series, Black Mirror, believes that careful consideration is key to exploring sensitive topics on television. However, his real concern is disinformation, particularly in relation to the development of generative artificial intelligence. While he acknowledges the humour in viral images of the pope in a puffer jacket, which were generated using this technology, Brooker is also terrified by the potential for “truthful looking lies” to spread unchecked.

Brooker points out that disinformation in the form of fake news is already a worrying blip on the radar, citing the example of images circulating on social media of Donald Trump’s arrest that turned out to be fake news. As a writer whose work depends on exploring the boundaries between reality and fiction, Brooker fears the unchecked proliferation of such disinformation in an age where fake news is a growing menace.

Charlie Brooker’s Unfinished Degree

Brooker, who has become known for his cultural commentary and futuristic imagination, studied media studies at the Polytechnic of Central London (which is now the University of Westminster), but he never graduated. He chose to write a dissertation on the iconic video game character, Sonic the Hedgehog, which the university dismissed as unimportant. Brooker admits that he never even asked whether it would be an acceptable topic to write about. Despite this setback, Brooker went on to achieve success in his field and become a voice of the millennial generation.

Charlie Brooker on Current Events

Brooker, who previously worked as a TV critic for The Guardian, is uninterested in getting drawn into controversy around current events. He prefers to avoid the news and indulges in satire instead. As a broadcaster himself, he acknowledges the importance of news and current affairs programming but admits that watching and summarising the footage depresses him. He seeks to find comfort in satire, but often feels as unstable and confused as everyone else.

Why Did Black Mirror Move to Netflix?

Black Mirror started out as a show on Channel 4 before it moved to Netflix. Brooker attributes the move to cost. Channel 4 found that the show was too expensive to produce independently and suggested that Brooker find a partner. Black Mirror had developed a cult following in the USA, which led Netflix to show interest in a co-production. The American network offered two seasons without pre-approvals while Channel 4 insisted on reviewing outlines before greenlighting episodes. Unfortunately, none of Brooker’s ideas for a third series convinced Channel 4. The subsequent series were produced exclusively for Netflix.

Charlie Brooker on Public Service Broadcasting

Brooker is an admirer of the BBC and acknowledges the importance of public service broadcasting. He believes that the national broadcaster, in particular the BBC, plays a key role in providing impartial news and information to the public. However, he recognizes the challenge of financing public broadcasting. The future of TV broadcasting in the United Kingdom is uncertain, and Brooker is keenly aware that he is not qualified to provide answers to the vexing questions of how to sustain public service broadcasting in an age of competition from tech giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Listen to the full interview with Charlie Brooker here.

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