New Episodes of Undercover TV Expose Animal Abuse
IDA's groundbreaking animal rights program airs on over 100 stations
With today's network "news" programs giving more air time to celebrity scandals and "reality" shows than actual news or reality, the truly important issues that affect our world are often marginalized and ignored. In the rare instance that the mainstream media does cover an animal rights story, they typically either sensationalize it (thereby distorting the message) to boost ratings, or water it down for fear of shocking their viewers and alienating advertisers.
That is why, for two and a half years, IDA's Undercover TV (UTV) has filled the vacuum left empty by media silence regarding the use and abuse of animals by industries around the world. In that time, UTV has become the most widely-distributed and most accessible animal rights program on television, as well as one of the most widely-distributed public access TV shows of any kind. More than 110 community access stations air UTV, and several new cities -- Albany, N.Y., Corpus Christi, Tex., and Asheville and Charlotte, N.C. -- have been added in just the last few weeks.
So far, IDA has produced 62 half-hour episodes of UTV, with many more to come. The installments are comprised of animal rights documentaries, exposés, and undercover videos created by professional film production studios, animal advocacy organizations, and enterprising individuals. They cover a broad range of animal rights issues, showing what is really happening to animals on factory farms and fur farms, in laboratories and circuses, and other places where cruelty is intentionally hidden from the public. Many of the images are graphic -- often far more violent and disturbing than any network would ever dare show -- but they must be seen, because they accurately represent the suffering that billions of animals used for food, clothing, "entertainment," and research endure, day in day out, year after year.
The latest episodes of UTV are some of the strongest yet. Episodes 55 and 56 feature the documentary "Knor," an award-winning Dutch film depicting the life of a pig, from birth to factory farm to slaughterhouse. Episodes 57 and 58 show the documentary "Chattel," a film that exposes the conditions of animals in vivisection labs and highlights the efforts of activists working to end their abuse.
Based on feedback we consistently get from viewers, UTV seems to be very effective at opening people's eyes to the suffering of animals. "Many people have written in saying that UTV was their first exposure to the horrors of institutionalized animal exploitation," says Gabe Quash, the show's producer. "It is gratifying to hear from many viewers who have been awakened to the truth about the mistreatment of animals and want to make a difference by showing videos to their family and friends and getting involved in animal advocacy."
IDA is proud of what we have accomplished with UTV so far, and we will continue to pursue its limitless potential as a tool for awakening people to animal concerns. As one viewer recently wrote, "(UTV) is all the motivation a person needs to stop eating meat for good. Thank you so much for getting the word out about the despicable way people treat animals... the more people who see the truth, the better. Ignorance is definitely not bliss in the case of animal cruelty."
What You Can Do
- Watch UTV on your local public access station. Find channels, air dates, and times in your community. You can also watch some videos online and order the UTV compilation DVD, which includes four exciting episodes of the show.
- Volunteer for UTV's nationwide distribution network, if UTV does not yet air on the public access station in your community. As a resident of any city, you can submit episodes of UTV to your local public access station simply by dropping off a box of tapes every few weeks. Contact undercover@idausa.org for more information.
- UTV is seeking undercover and investigative video footage to show on the air. If you have video footage that exposes violence against animals, please e-mail undercover@idausa.org or send a copy to In Defense of Animals, 3010 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901. Please specify if you would like to remain anonymous.
