TikTok says this is the worst town in England. Is it really?

A thumbnail from Context video 'TikTok says this is the worst town in England. Is it really?'. Context Video Producer Ranel Felix speaks in a screengrab with text: TikTok (logo) VS. REALITY Thomson Reuters Foundation/Ranel Felix

TikTok and YouTube are fuelling a new trend of  “poverty porn” - videos that sensationalise despair and exploit vulnerable communities for entertainment. Look up ‘Jaywick’ on YouTube and you’ll find dozens of videos about the “worst” town in England. Some are highly produced travelogs, others are AI-created junk, showcasing the most extreme images of poverty for viewers' gratification.

In an age where ever more young people get their news from social media, it's a phenomenon that threatens to blur the lines between entertainment and reality. In this video, we’ll speak with critics and creators alike to dig deep into the business, politics and ethics of sensationalising poverty for clickbait.

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