Channel 4 pulls sweatshop exposé 'The Devil Wears Primark'
Last week we reported on a C4 documentary to be broadcast yesterday, which promised to expose the real price we pay for cheap, high-street clothing. I was all ready by the TV with my cocoa at 9pm last night, but things did not quite go to plan.
Channel 4 had decided to pull the potentially controversial documentary at the last minute, citing 'editorial reasons'. A spokeswoman for Channel 4 explained that "It is a complicated programme and we took an editorial decision with the production company [Betty TV] that it simply wouldn't be ready in time for yesterday's transmission."
I have to say, I'm pretty baffled at this piece of news, particularly coming as it does from a channel notorious for its love-affair with controversy. The documentary must be making some pretty serious claims, whether or not they are backed up by reality. It's made all the odder when you consider that this programme has been heavily promoted, presumably at significant cost to Channel 4.
At present, the press office's comments are all the explanation we have, though to me this smacks of a law suit. The Londonist has some further speculation here on what might be really going on, but it's nothing more than guesswork at present. We'll keep you posted on further developments!
