Online petition calls for Channel 4’s Benefits Street to be axed
Channel 4 has refused to pull a controversial documentary charting the lives of benefits claimants, after it received nearly 700 complaints from viewers that it unfairly maligned residents of the Birmingham Street on which it was filmed.
More than 5,000 viewers have now signed a change.org petition for the show to be scrapped after accusing the broadcaster of ‘stirring up hatred’ but Channel 4 has rebuffed the criticism, insisting the programme is ‘fair and balanced’.
Benefits Street follows the lives of residents on the real life James Turner Street and is the channels most popular show in over a year, drawing 4m viewers to its opening episode.
Petition organiser, Arshad Mahmood of Bradford, said: “Having lived in Birmingham, not far from where the programme was made, I can honestly say this show is not representative of people in the area.
"Benefits Street has portrayed people on income support as scroungers and it's wrong. I have worked for 33 years, but after major surgery am now unable to work and receive some benefits. The backlash and abuse of social networks towards people on benefits as a result of this show has shocked me.
"Channel 4 should not broadcast any further episodes of the programme – it is creating a skewed image of a section of society and stirring up hatred. This is not a responsible approach from a public service broadcaster."