Painful Viewing

A recent edition of Panorama is under investigation by the regulator because its depictions of CIA torture methods were insufficiently cuddly for one viewer. The programme reconstructed various methods of enhanced interrogation, as used by the defenders of democracy whenever extrajudicial assassination just isn't subtle enough. Prior warning was given that the report might be disturbing, but it appears that somebody sat through it anyway and then complained of having been disturbed. It is as yet unclear whether the letter of complaint was signed by Tony Blair or Jack Straw; nor is it clear whether the substance of the complaint was that depictions of torture should not be disturbing, or merely that disturbing scenes should not be broadcast, with or without warning, before the magical watershed that protects infants of all ages from everything except advertisements, the news and daytime TV.