Channel 4 News hacking exclusives continue with Dispatches

To capitalise on a run of exclusives on the phone hacking story from Channel 4 News, the Dispatches material will run as a series of separate reports within the 7pm bulletin. The first will run tonight as a special report. (Thurs 7 July, 7pm).

Produced by Blakeway, the team behind previous Dispatches on phone hacking, Tabloids, Tories and Telephone Hacking and Tabloid’s Dirty Secrets, the reports provide new insight into how News of the World journalists obtained confidential information from corrupt police.

They have been working with Channel 4 News Home Affairs Correspondent Andy Davies to produce this new material. In recent weeks, Andy Davies revealed the secret police operation set up to investigate computer hacking, known as Operation Tuleta and details of other conduct concerns that the police had raised with News International.

Following this week’s new allegations, the Metropolitan Police have told Channel 4 News that in 2003 officers met the former editor of the News of the World, Rebekah Brooks, over claims that a police officer was shadowed by journalists from the paper. The allegations – exclusively revealed by Channel 4 News on Tuesday – involve a surveillance operation during a crucial murder investigation which implicated private investigators who had alleged links to News International.

Jay Hunt, Chief Creative Officer, Channel 4: “This was always set to be an explosive Dispatches which would shed new light on this incredible story. By airing this material as part of the 7pm programme, we can get it to the audience faster, and capitalise on the clear affinity between our news and current affairs brands.”

Martin Fewell, Deputy Editor, Channel 4 News says: “Channel 4 News’ Home Affairs Correspondent Andy Davies has really made his mark on this story – revealing previously undiscovered police investigations and complaints against News International. Working with Blakeway has enabled us to dig further into these areas away from the rolling and relentless pace of this story.”

Fiona Stourton, Executive Producer, Blakeway Productions says: “Having made two successful revelatory Dispatches on the phone hacking story for Channel 4, Blakeway Productions was immersed in a third production when the story came back into the headlines. Our broadcast date was a few weeks away and yet it was clear that we needed to get to air as quickly as possible to inform the current debate. Channel 4 news has provided that opportunity and it’s great to be working together with Andy Davies to get our new information out right now.”