Charlie discusses how the news media always needs to develop a narrative of fear in any topic, from the Nuclear threat, Salmonella in eggs, to Acid house music and the Millennium Bug, by emphasising worst-case scenarios frequently in the face of more reasonable, scientific evidence. Canadian journalist Dan Gardner and US stand-up comedian Doug Stanhope contributed pieces on a similar theme, from the perspective of their respective countries. The central segment focused on the Christmas pants bomb attempt, as did a poem from Tim Key. The final segment examined the media's overblown reaction to Britain's unexpected "Big Freeze".

Charlie Brookers Newswipe Season 2 Episodes...

• s02e01 - fear mongering, underwear bomber, snow
• s02e02 - Episode Two
• s02e03 - Haiti, celebrity spokesmen, iPad
• s02e04 - former prime ministers, political interviews, Richard Nixon
• s02e05 - live reports, John Terry
• s02e06 - Episode Six

Charlie Brookers Newswipe Show Summary

Newswipe is presented by Charlie Brooker. Each week he takes a look at different news affecting the country.