Channel 4 viewers slam new ‘propaganda’ migration documentary: ‘Taken it too far!’
Channel 4’s new documentary series Go Back To Where You Came From has stirred intense debate online as it prepares to debut on Monday, February 3.
The show will follow six Britons with opposing views on immigration as they retrace common migration routes to the UK.
The four-part series, adapted from a multi-award-winning Australian format, will see participants immersed in the lengthy journeys migrants make to reach the UK.
Throughout the show, participants follow routes through Africa, the Middle East and Europe, facing challenging border crossings and mountain terrain.
They will experience high-risk locations including Mogadishu in Somalia and Raqqa in Syria, described as two of the most dangerous cities on earth.
Commissioners at Channel 4 describe the new series as “bold” television intended to dissect one of the country’s most contentious issues.
In a statement, they said it will “take an unflinching look at the truth of immigration, across the debate” and “confront, educate, anger, shock and tug at the heartstrings of liberals, the right-wing and everyone in-between”.
“It is hoped that this will offer up an opportunity for the British public to help understand some of the terrifying perils asylum seekers face,” they added.
The six Britons taking on the various journeys represent varying sides of the immigration debate.
Taking part are Dave, a Nottingham chef and TikTok star; Bushra, a small business owner and TV personality from Surrey; Chloe from Cornwall who has appeared on GB News.
Also in tow is Barnsley haulage business owner, Nathan; Podcasting Londoner Mathilda and Welsh sports coach Jess.
Go Back To Where You Came From has already generated debate ahead of airing next month.
Amnesty International has condemned the show’s “miserable title”, with refugee rights director Steve Valdez-Symonds stating that “serious subjects like the plight — and all too frequent death — of people seeking asylum deserve more sensitivity”.
He slammed the Channel 4 series for not “being designed or capable” of providing “more attention to real experience and more education about their (refugees) circumstances and rights”.
Commentators online have also joined the debate, sharing their views on the upcoming show on X – with one worrying it would “open up a chain of carnage”.
“I’m all for a bit of controversy but I think @Channel4 have taken it too far with this one!!! #GoBackToWhereYouCameFrom,” one feared.
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Meet the six Brits about to go on a life changing journey… pic.twitter.com/NPPUtCKOil
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) January 20, 2025
Another branded it: “Exploitative trash masquerading as social experimentation.”
“I certainly wouldn’t watch this anytime,” a third declared.
Others took issue with the show’s potential political leaning, alleging it would inevitably take a side in the immigration debate.
“@Channel4 attempting their left wing approach with #GoBackToWhereYouCameFrom by sending actors to war torn countries to pull on heartstrings good effort Channel 4,” one slammed.
Another wrote: “Smells like propaganda to me.”
“It will be interesting to see how @Channel4 portrays this situation,” one more even-handed poster added.