2008: a year in news
Updated on 18 December 2008
We look back at how Channel 4 News reported some of the biggest events of 2008.
Credit crunch
2008 will be remembered as the year when the credit crunch hit the real economy. With increasingly gloomy economic news, Britain's long cycle of boom appeared to turn to bust.
The credit crunch
US elections
Across the pond, the 2008 elections dominated news, culminating in an historic victory for Barack Obama, who will become America's first black president.
US elections 2008
Prince Harry
When an Australian publication leaked the news that Prince Harry was secretly serving in Afghanistan, with the knowledge of every news organisation in Britain, Channel 4 News questioned the wisdom of such press collusion.
28 Feb 2008: should Harry have gone?
Simon Mann
Simon Mann was accused of plotting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea and in July was sentenced to over 34 years in Black Beach prison.
Mar 11 2008: 'I was not the main man'
Zimbabwe
This year has seen the virtual collapse of Zimbabwe, following Robert Mugabe's rigged elections, state-sponsored violence and the outbreak of a cholera epidemic.
1 Jul 2008: Mugabe tells west to 'hang'
Ray Lewis
After Channel 4 News revealed claims involving alleged financial and sexual misconduct, Boris Johnson's deputy Ray Lewis was forced to resign.
3 Jul 2008: Ray Lewis rubbishes misconduct claims
Beijing Olympics
The Olympics were mired by questions around Chinese human rights abuses and a lack of press freedom.
14 Aug 2008: IOC asked 'are you embarrassed?'
Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown weathered poor opinion poll ratings and rumbles of a leadership challenge within his own party, before experiencing a bounce on the back of a disintegrating economic outlook.
14 Sep 2008: government backs Gordon Brown
Lucian Freud
Lucian Freud gave Nicholas Glass a rare interview in an attempt to help the National Gallery save Titian's Diana and Actaeon.
28 Oct 2008: Freud's bid to save Titian works
Democratic Republic of Congo
The current crisis in Democratic Republic of Congo has its roots in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and despite the warring factions striking a peace deal in January, conflict continues to blight the country.
31 Oct 2008: Congo conflict - the background
