Alternative 3

First broadcast as part of the "Science Report" documentary series, Alternative 3 uncovered what appeared to be an astonishing link between Britain's "brain drain" of disappearing experts, Climate change and the start of an extra-terrestrial colony. The programme ended with the credit "Anglia Television, April 1st 1997", and was in fact a sci-fi drama - a deadpan heir to "The War Of The Worlds". But after its broadcast world-wide that same week, Alternative 3 clearly shoed how the medium can manipulate the message, as millions were fooled by the programme which provoked front page headlines and has inspired conspiracy theories ever since.